E.P. Neighborhood Plans Another 'Day' at Park in Memory of Lost Loved Ones

Another “Neighborhood Day” takes place Saturday, Aug. 17, for residents of the Central Avenue/Onna Moniz-John Park area of East Providence.

The 21st annual event starts at 9:30 am. It is sponsored by the Park Neighborhood Coalition, the Red Bridge Neighborhood Association, Trinity Tabernacle Church, and the East Providence Affirmative Action Office. 

The “day” begins with a one-mile Memorial Walk through the neighborhood to recognize loved ones who died over the previous year. Balloons will then be released back at the park.

Two local residents, Joe Silva and Paul Michael Gomes, will receive special remembrances this year. Silva died in February; Gomes died about two years ago.

Silva has been an ardent supporter of Neighborhood Day. Among his other activities were as a “warden” for Council 1528 of the Knights of Columbus; a “faithful navigator” for St. Piux X Assembly, 1060; director of the childrens toy drive dinner through the Knights of Columbus, a board member of the holiday toy drive for Children’s Friend and the Red Bridge Neighborhood Association, and an East Providence Winter Fest Committee member. 

Gomes was an Army veteran of 23 years, one of 8 children of the late Frank and Jennie Gomes of Blanding Avenue who grew up in the Central Avenue neighborhood and played in the park often.

Neighborhood Day also includes a variety of activities for everyone, including a 5-on-5 basketball tournament, Bingo for seniors, Zumba and Reiki lessons and demonstrations, a display of police and fire vehicles, lots of children’s games, face painting, music, a Black history exhibit and plenty of food and beverages from Munroe Dairy.