Thomas Anthony Greene

Thomas Anthony Greene formerly of Cranston died on February 11 in Bonita Springs, Florida. He was 71. Tom was the loving husband of Maria H. Izzi of Warwick. He resided at the "cottage" of the Clouds Hill Victorian Museum in Warwick, RI at the request of the owner, Anne D. Holst for the past twelve years. In addition he lived in Narragansett, Rhode Island and Sunapee, New Hampshire. Thomas started his career with The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) as a game warden under the tutelage of Lt. Albert Judge, Conservation Officer. He was a game warden for six years before rising to the rank of Lieutenant, finishing first out of more than twenty other officers who took the exam. He served as Lt. Greene for eighteen years and was appointed to the position of Deputy Chief in 1991 by DEM Director Louise Durphy and remained in that position until his retirement in 2006. Thomas was a well respected Deputy Chief who served that department with unwavering loyalty and determination to abide by the rules and regulations of the DEM. Tom graduated from Cranston High School and Roger Williams University. He had a deep love and knowledge of flora and fauna throughout Rhode Island and New England. He was an avid hunter of deer, turkey and boar, hunting in NH near his home in Sunapee and in Florida, Georgia, Texas and West Virginia. He was deeply respected among his peers in and out of state and dedicated to his position. He ruled with a firm hand to protect RI's natural resources from being ruined or exploited. Tom was truly a "man's man" in every capacity. He would never let personal feelings interfere with the laws of Rhode Island and his unwavering obligation to protect land and sea. Tom served as Secretary of the Northeast Chiefs of Fish and Wildlife, and was The Director of the Game Warden Memorial Museum in North Dakota from 2003-2014. He participated in conferences as far west as California, Montana and Canada. He was always active in conservation even after his retirement, as it was his passion. Tom and his conservation officer partner Anne D. Holst, of Warwick (Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum) New England's first female game warden, were dedicated to the waterfront and stopping illegal shell fishing. Their arrests numbered in the hundreds to protect RI resources and consumers. Tom was an active participant in the Bradbury Fox Hound training, training the hounds for the Bradbury Hunt held at Hopkins Hill Farm in West Greenwich, RI. Tom was given The Award of Colors which is a prestigious honor awarded by the masters of the hunt at their sole discretion to hunting members who have made an ongoing significant contribution to the hunt's tradition of excellent sportsmanship. Only those who have been exemplary and contributed to the success of the hunt's activities and are a credit to the hunts reputation are chosen for the Award of Colors. He was an active participant the New England Hunt in 1972 organizing the hound show for the hunt, training the hounds for the Hound Trials Competition with Dennis Murphy, DNR. Tom was instrumental in organizing the Conservation Officers of the DEM to hold monthly meetings at Hopkins Hill Farm because of the generosity of the Cardi family. It was at the Cardi Farm that he met his future wife Maria Izzi. After they met they realized how closely there families were connected through the years. Thomas was a beloved friend whose sincerity and generosity to those he loved knew no limits. His soulful, deep blue eyes and great smile were so expressive when in the company of those he loved. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. He was an accomplished carpenter, electrician, an avid reader and master gardener. A lover of nature, he loved taking nature walks at Cloud's Hill, exploring the grounds with his beautiful black Labrador, Blackjack. Tom leaves his beloved wife and caregiver Maria H. Izzi, his daughter Stacey Lee Greene Bodziony and her husband Matthew of Wakefield, RI, his son Sgt. Jason Winston Greene of the West Warwick Police Department and his wife Nicole of Cranston. He leaves five grandchildren, Mack, Mae and Van Bodziony and Emma and Jake Greene. Emma and Jake are the 5th generation of the Greene family to attend Oaklawn Elementary School in Cranston, RI. Tom was the son of Rosellen (Welch) and Winston N. Greene of Cranston. Tom leaves his brother Clinton N. Greene and his wife Barbara (Swanson) of Malta, NY and was the brother the late James Greene and his wife Helen of Cranston, his sister Hope Pelletier and her late husband Thomas of Las Cruses, New Mexico and the late Carolyn Caito and her husband Robert of East Greenwich, plus many beloved nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews. Tom also leaves his sisters in law, Helen Izzi Schilling of Naples, FL, Rita Izzi Santilli and Eileen Izzi of Narragansett. Tom leaves several retired Conservation Officers that he would meet with on a weekly basis, Jeff Belmonte, Ray Lamonte, Freddie Williams, Danny Dragon, Dean Lees and former Chief at DEM, Frank Papa. They formed a very tight friendship and they were always willing to help him to attend any event, as he became physically weaker because of his illness. Tom was the former husband of the late Barbara (Reynolds) Greene. Tom loved life and handled his illness void of complaining and with complete dignity. He leaves his beloved caregivers in addition to his wife, Maria, Mr. W. Keith Avery and Dagmar Jordan, whose love and genuine concern for Tom were a part of their day to day duties. His support team in Florida also included Marianna Cardi LaTour, Maria C. Cardi, Sylvia Natale, Henry D'Aloisio, Marilyn and Mark Kinkade, also his nephew and niece by marriage Paul J. Schilling, MD and Helen M. Schilling, MD.who were by his side through his illness. In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Tom's name to the Game Warden Museum, 10939 Peace Garden Road, Dunseith, ND 58239. A celebration of life mass will be held in June at St. Mary's Church in Cranston, RI to be announced. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Thomas Anthony Greene

December 17, 1944 - February 11, 2016