March 28, 2024

Peter James Saunders

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Peter James Saunders, 26, of Riverside, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, January 15, 2019. He is the son of Mark and Margarida “Maggie” (Amaral) Saunders, brother of Patrick M. Saunders, and grandson of Jose and Deolinda (Braga) Amaral, Charles Saunders Sr. and the late Carol (Doherty) Saunders.

Peter was a senior at Rhode Island College and working at the Newman YMCA as a teacher’s assistant for their Preschool program. Peter’s love of his family and friends was his greatest joy. Second to this was his love of playing hockey. Peter put on his first pair of skates when he was five years old and learned to skate with his father at the Providence outdoor rink. He quickly fell in love with hockey and played all his life: starting with GPYHA, through East Providence High School, and finally with the RIC Anchormen alongside his cousins. Some of Peter’s favorite hockey moments were playing for the EPHS Townies and the friendships he forged that lasted after high school.

Peter was lucky to have many loving uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents that he enjoyed spending time with and making them laugh. There were many family parties. The family could always count on him to tell jokes and he played with his little cousins like a big brother. He was lucky to have his mother’s good looks and his father’s quick wit. His brother Patrick always looked out for him, and they had many fun times on family vacations. Peter’s quick wit and sometimes devilish good nature will be sorely missed.

Peter was the nephew of Deborah Lewis, Gail Maxwell, and Charles Jr., James, Michael, Joseph, and David Saunders, and Joe, John, Celeste, Antonio and Matilde Amaral. He also leaves many cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10am in St. Brendan’s Church, Turner Ave., Riverside. (Please go directly to church). Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, Jan. 23, from 4pm until 8pm in the Rebello Funeral Home and Crematory, 901 Broadway, East Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are greatly appreciated to the Friends of Townie Athletics, PO Box 16521, Rumford, RI 02916 or to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Attn: Memorial Gifts, PO Box 1245, Albert Lea, MN, 56007.

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