Ernesto 'Ernie' Anguilla, 84, Owned Tailor Shop

Ernesto "Ernie" Anguilla, of 12 Tupelo Street in Bristol, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, surrounded by his wife and children. He was 84.

Anguilla was born in Porto Empedocle, Sicily and was the son of Faustino and Carolina Anguilla. Growing up in Italy, he lived with his six brothers and three sisters. He, his wife and his oldest son immigrated to the United States in 1964 and he was a proud resident of Bristol ever since. 

Anguilla learned the craft of tailoring at a very young age. After serving three years in the Italian Navy, Ernesto opened his own tailor shop in 1950 in his hometown and worked there until he and his family moved to Bristol. His entry to the U.S. was sponsored by Briggs Doherty, who operated Briggs Ltd. in Providence, one of Rhode Island’s finest menswear establishments. 

In 1974, he opened Ernesto’s European Tailor Shop on Waseca Avenue in Barrington, specializing in custom-made suits and alterations. He quickly became a fixture of the Barrington business community, known for his charm, wit and for long conversations with customers over a cup of coffee.

In an article that ran in the Providence Journal in 1995, Ernesto was quoted as saying, “When the sun comes up in the morning, it comes up for everyone, not just one person. Everybody is entitled to make a living. Some people are very greedy. Why? When we die, we can take nothing with us of what we have in this world.” He retired in 1999. 

Anguilla is survived by his wife, Vincenza “Jennie”; his children, Fausto, Carol and Ernesto; his son-in-law, Andrew Banasiewicz; his daughter-in-law, Melissa; and his grandchildren, Alana, Katrina and Adam Banasiewicz. During his later years, he enjoyed walks in Colt State Park, spending time in downtown Bristol at local cafes and enjoying the company of his many friends. 

Anguilla was an active member of several local organizations, including the La Bella Sicilia Society, the Cup Defenders Association, the Knights of Columbus and the Order of the Sons of Italy. He was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Bristol and supported numerous civic causes. 

Services for him will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from the Sansone Funeral Home, 192 Wood Street, Bristol at 9 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 141 State Street in Bristol. Burial will follow at the North Burial Ground.

Visiting hours are today, Oct. 29, from 4 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to East Bay Food Pantry, 150 Franklin Street; Friends of Rogers Free Library, 525 Hope Street; or the Bristol Rescue Squad, PO Box 775, all Bristol, RI 02809.