Michael Colabella

Michael Nicholas Colabella, known as “PAPA/ PA” to his family.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island on December 07, 1927 to Marie (Fandetti) and Domenico Colabella died on July 06, 2020 at age of 92.  He was preceded in death by his wife Vi (Corbeil) Colabella.

Besides his sister Carmela Bonetti of Texas, he is survived by his three children:  Judy Colabella and her husband Walter Palen of Katy, Texas; Nancy Murray and her husband Edmund of Warwick; Michael A Colabella and his Wife Virginia of Warwick. Seven grandchildren Alyssa Rae Cardi and her fiancé Ben Schwalb of Delaware, Danielle Fagan and her husband Robert of South Kingstown, Shannon Colabella Damiao and her husband Fabio of North Providence, Michael R. Colabella and Daniel Colabella of Warwick and Jeffrey Palen and his wife Tania of Texas and Benjamin Palen of Texas and three great grandchildren Mia Fagan, Samantha Fagan and Tiago Damiao.

He served his country in the Army in WWII, and was stationed in Japan.

He was a welder by trade and worked at Electric Boat in both Groton, CT and Quincy, MA.  He also served as Plant Operations Supervisor at the Miriam Hospital until retirement.

He loved carpentry and woodwork, each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren have a one of a kind pieces of furniture or toys made by him. He was an usher and a member of the Holy Name Society at Saint Anthony’s Church, North Providence and a volunteer at Saint Edward Food and Wellness Center, North Providence, RI.

Papa liked his Western and Military movies and TV series. He liked painting, playing cards especially cribbage, doing puzzles. He was a whiz at word puzzles. As a young man he played

the accordion and later in life piano, but would have liked to learn the saxophone. He was an avid bowler and loved to dance, he would get on the dance floor with anyone who was willing. He taught his children and grandchildren to play bocce and they continue to play.

He loved all kinds of pasta with lots of sauce, particularly extra Alfredo sauce and he loved coffee ice cream and Klondike Bars. He never liked lemons, oregano, pizza or pesto. Papa liked his coffee and cigarettes; and try as he might never quit smoking.

“PAPA” was a man of few words unless he was telling a joke. When he spoke, it was hard not

to pay attention. He did not budge from his opinion or preferences… you might call him stubborn or strong willed but, whatever it was that drove him, he lived a long life always looking forward to being with his family. He will be greatly missed and well-remembered.

Services are private, but will be live streamed on Robbins Funeral Home Facebook page Friday, July 10th at 11 am.  https://www.facebook.com/Robbins-Funeral-Home-125239184197750/

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony Church, 5 Gibbs St., North Providence, RI 02904 or HopeHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 1085 North Main St., Providence, RI 02904.