Paul Andrew Bucci, 52, of Cranston, RI passed away peacefully on May 30, 2022, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI after a 10-month battle with stage IV metastatic, small bowel cancer. Paul was born in Providence, RI to Philip and the late Patricia (Anderson) Bucci.
Paul attended Cranston High School East through his junior year and then transferred to the Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, MA. After graduating from the Governor Dummer Academy, Paul attended the University of Rhode Island where he graduated in 1992 with a major in Political Science and a minor in History. After graduation, Paul worked for Rhode Island Hospital Trust Bank which then ultimately merged into Bank of Boston, Baybank, Fleet, and then Sovereign Bank as a Home Equity Credit Analyst. It was during this time in 1993 that Paul met his future wife Kimberly, who also worked for Rhode Island Hospital Trust. Their long friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in 1997 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in East Greenwich, RI. The couple bought a house in Cranston and started their family.
In 2001, Paul decided to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher and he enrolled in the teacher preparation program at Rhode Island College. Paul graduated in 2002 and started his career as a high school social studies teacher for Cranston Public Schools. His first year of teaching was at the New England Laborers Construction and Career Academy. He then transferred to Cranston High School East where he remained for the next 19 years. Paul loved teaching there and he always spoke of the wonderful friends that he had at East. Paul was an inspirational teacher who worked hard to connect with his students and make learning a positive experience for them. Paul was proud of his students and loved seeing them around the city after they had graduated so he could get updates on how they were doing. He always had a genuine and friendly “Hello” for all of the current students that he ran into at all of the local restaurants and markets.
In addition to being a teacher, Paul was also the Cranston High School West Boys Cross Country Coach, the Cranston High School East Assistant Boys Indoor Track Coach, and the Cranston High School East Boys Outdoor Track Head Coach. Paul was a proud and devoted father of his two sons and was always there to support them. He was their tee-ball coach, CLCF soccer coach, and coached many of their Budlong Little League baseball teams. Paul was a student of politics and had always wanted to serve his city. In 1994, Paul pursued his love of politics and successfully ran for school committee in Cranston where he served two terms. He also ran twice for City Council, once in 1998 and then again in 2020, but lost both races. Despite the close loss, Paul was always proud of his “old school work ethic” and how he walked every neighborhood and went door to door to every house in his district so he could personally meet every resident. He always talked about the nice people that he had met when he was out campaigning. Anyone who knows Paul, knows that running was his passion. He ran throughout the city, usually early in the morning, and many friends knew his route around Cranston. He enjoyed running road races, including the completion of one marathon, several half marathons, and his favorite race of all, The Blessing of the Fleet, which he completed 28 times. Paul’s motto was to have a healthy mind and a healthy body. He was a health enthusiast who had a lifelong commitment to healthy living and fitness. It was a shock to his family when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer last August. He had no symptoms and had just completed the Newport 10 Miler road race a few weeks earlier. He handled his diagnosis of this rare cancer privately with honor, grace, and bravery and never once asked, “Why me?”. He continued to teach and coach and live his life to the fullest knowing his time on this earth was limited. He lived and died by his rules and leaves a legacy behind. Paul was a man who was a true role model: kind, generous, compassionate, empathetic, honest, and caring. He had a strong work ethic which was seen in all aspects of his life as a father, teacher, and coach.
He was a true gentleman who looked at everything from the other person’s perspective and was always respectful and positive. He always had a warm “Hello” for all those he came across and always made sure to remember everyone's name. He truly believed that our words and our actions matter and we should always remember the power they have. He was a man of character who mentored his sons, students, and student-athletes to always try to be the best human they could be. Paul was a loving husband, father, uncle, and friend who will be greatly missed. His death is not only a loss to those who loved him, but it is also a loss to the Cranston community and all of the future students and athletes who will now miss his guidance, support, and positive influence.
Paul was the son of Philip and the late Patricia (Anderson). He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Kimberly (Savarese), and by his two adoring sons, Brett and Craig. He was the youngest brother of Philip (Kathy), James (Nancy), Roy (Paula), David (Lisa), and Lynn Basile. Paul was also the proud uncle of several nieces and nephews.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday June 6, 2022, at Holy Apostles Church, 800 Pipin Orchard Rd., Cranston. Everyone is asked to go directly to the church. Burial will be private. VISITING HOURS will be Sunday from 1:00- 5:00 pm at the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave. Cranston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care, 1085 N. Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.
