A native and lifelong resident of Warwick, Kent County, Mr. Senerchia during the early part of his career was identified with the grocery business. Eventually, however, he decided to enter the drug business and in recent years he has been the owner of two popular and successful drug stores located in Apponaug, and West Warwick respectively. He is a veteran of the World War and gives further proof of his patriotism and public spirit by active participation in public affairs; and his popularity with his fellow-townsmen is indicated by the fact that they have elected him at different times to important positions of trust and responsibility.
Vincenzo R. Senerchia was born at Warwick, Kent County, February 7, 1896, a son of David and Silvia (Ciummo) Senerchia. Both his parents were natives of Italy. His mother is now deceased, while his father, still a resident of Warwick, has been for many years engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Senerchia received his education in the public grammar and high schools of Warwick and, after leaving school, became connected with the grocery business, in which he continued to be active for thirteen years. In order to prepare himself for a new career, that of the drug business, he went to work in 1922 in a local drug store and at the same time attended the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy in 1925. In that year he established himself in the drug business under his own name, opening a store at Clyde Square, West Warwick. His business ability, his thorough knowledge of drugs, his high reputation for fair dealing and his general popularity enabled him to build up this business very rapidly, until it became one of the leading establishments of its type in this section of Kent County. In 1928 he opened another drug store at Apponaug, which has also proven a successful venture.
During the World War Mr. Senerchia enlisted in the United States Army in September, 1917. He was assigned to Company G, 3 ° 3 d Infantry, 76th Division, and he served overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces for thirteen months, receiving his honorable discharge from military service in July, I 9 I 9 > with the rank of sergeant. Mr. Senerchia is a Republican in politics, and in recent years he has been prominently and effectively active in public affairs. At one time he served for four years as a member of the Town Council of Warwick. During 1929-30 he represented the Second Warwick District in the General Assembly. In both these positions he proved himself a very able and public-spirited legislator, making many valuable contributions to the progress of his native town. He is a member of the Sons of Italy, the Italian Progressive Club of Pawtuxet Valley, the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Association, the National Retail Druggists Association, and West Warwick Post, No. 2, American Legion. His religious affiliation is with the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. He is fond of outdoor sports, especially baseball and football.
Mr. Senerchia married, in 1929. Theresa Petrarca, like himself a native of Warwick.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.