William “Red” Schecher, 86, of Karen Ann Drive, formerly of Burlingame Road, Smithfield, died Sunday, December 5, 2021 at his son’s home. He was the husband of the late Mary Patricia (Sullivan) Schecher. They had been married for 52 years at the time of her death in 2015.
Born in Downs, Kansas, he was the son of the late Norbert and Mary Frances (Kelly) Schecher. He moved with his family to the Fox Point neighborhood in Providence in 1941. He attended Cleary School and graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1952.
Red served in the US Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg, NC. He first worked for A.H. Leeming Construction for 6 years as a painter and paperhanger. He later was employed as a letter carrier for 40 years in the Providence district of the U.S. Postal Service, including 25 years in the Fox Point neighborhood. Upon his retirement he served as a sexton for St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Greenville for 7 years.
He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 15, the Knights of Columbus, Fatima Council #1433, The Ireland 32 Society, The German American Cultural Society, The Fox Point Boys Club Alumni and The Luxemburg American Cultural Society of Wisconsin.
He was a rosary maker and avid gardener, bringing over 300 lbs of vegetables every year to the RI Food Bank.
Bill is survived by his sons, Norbert and his wife, Ana, of Smithfield, and James Schecher and his wife, Gina of Franklin, MA, his grandchildren: David, Briana and her husband, Damian Walsh, Vanessa , Cristina and Timothy and his two great grandchildren: Jayden and Juliana. He was the brother of the late Norbert and James Schecher.
His funeral will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 9am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Georgiaville. Burial with Military honors will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Visitation Monday 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 or St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828 or Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter, 245 Waterman St #306, Providence, RI 02906