Stephen Decatur Underwood, 78, of Newport, RI, formerly of Meriden, CT, died Monday, September 24 at the Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI. Born in Newport, RI on July 13, 1934, he was the son of the late John B. Underwood and Mary (Del Nero) Underwood, both of Newport.

Stephen, a thirteenth generation Rhode Islander, was a Korean War veteran, having proudly served in the U.S. Navy. He was employed by Southern New England Telephone Company for 34 years before retiring in 1990. He was a member of the Newport Elks Lodge #104, where he spent many afternoons relaxing with his friends, including his best buddy and uncle Vinny Del Nero. He was also a member of the American Legion of Connecticut, the Korean War Veterans of RI, the American Diabetes Association, the Telephone Pioneers of America, the SNET Retiree Association, and the Edward King House Senior Center.

He is survived by sons Richard Underwood (wife Jean) of Allentown, PA, and Michael Underwood (wife Maryla) of Hebron, CT, and a daughter Michelle Underwood of East Haven, CT, in addition to four grandchildren. His sisters Paula Paschoal of Newport, Virginia Austin of Houston, TX, and Jean Berro of Seal Beach, CA survive him. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard W. Underwood, formerly of Houston, TX.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 at St. Mary’s Church, Spring St., Newport at 9am. Burial with Military Honors at St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown. Visiting hours on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012 at the O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Home, 465 Spring St., Newport from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stephen’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701