Alvah Vernava

Alvah W. Vernava

April 7, 1940 – October 13, 2019

Alvah W. Vernava, son of the late Arthur and Livia (DiValerio) Vernava and brother to the late Arthur Vernava, Jr.  Besides his wife of 56 years Barbara Vernava, he leaves behind daughter Kimberly Vernava, son Jon Vernava, daughter-in-law Crystal, and grandsons Nathan and Mitchell, all of Scituate, RI.  In addition, he leaves his nephews Arlen Vernava and Robin, Adrian Vernava and Cheri, Michael Gates and Brenda, Hollis Gates and Katie, as well as several great nephews and nieces.  He was also “Uncle Al” to the Bowater and Randall children as well as “Dad Vernava” to Deborah Lee.

Al earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College and his Master’s Degree from Rhode Island College.  He was Director of the Social Service Department at Kent County Hospital for thirty-two years.  He served in the United States Army in El Paso, Texas and Landstuhl, Germany.  Al helped many people over the years.

Al was a long time member of North Scituate Baptist Church where he served as Moderator, Chair of the Board of Finance and as a Deacon.  He, along with his wife Barbara and friends Don and Ann Aldrich, chaired the Annual Harvest Dinner for many years.  Al was a member of Hamilton DeMolay and Roger Williams Masonic Lodge.

In addition, Al served as President of the Scituate Town Council, Chair of the Scituate Land Trust, and Chair of the Scituate Conservation Commission for many years.  He was instrumental in preserving land as open space to protect the rural character of Scituate.  As a member of the Scituate Lions Club, he also worked to record a video series about the history of Scituate, as told by Frank Spencer.  Al loved Scituate and took great pride in his community and his home.  He could often be seen working in his yard to keep it in pristine condition.

As a Life Boy Scout, Al shared his love of the outdoors with his family and friends.  He enjoyed camping, sailing, hiking, biking, skiing, and vacationing in Ogunquit and Naples, Maine with his family.  He proudly watched grandsons Nathan and Mitchell play soccer.  He enjoyed traveling with friends Everett and Beverly Randall and biking with Tom and the late Deborah Bowater, as well as numerous camping adventures with both families.   Finally, his family loved when he played the piano, especially Rhapsody in Blue and The Old Rugged Cross.

He will be greatly missed by all.  We love you Al, Uncle Al, Dad, Papa…

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Scituate Baptist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 427, North Scituate, RI 02857 or the Scituate Scholarship Fund c/o Scituate High School, 94 Trimtown Rd, North Scituate, RI 02857.

A service of remembrance will be held at North Scituate Baptist Church on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 2 pm.