Ronald D. Denelle, founder of R.D. Denelle & Co. and former Rhode Island Assn. of Realtors president, passes

Narragansett, RI Ronald Denelle, 89, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of October 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Ron was born in Central Falls, grew up in Pawtucket, and attended Pawtucket High School East. Immediately after graduating high school, he served in the U.S. Army’s 3^rd Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard,” as a member of the Presidential Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and at the White House during the Eisenhower administration. Following his military service, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 1960 with the help of the G.I. Bill.

Ron spent eight years in sales management with U.S. Steel Corp., living and working in Pittsburgh, Boston, and Cleveland. In the summer of 1968, he brought his family home to South County from Cleveland, Ohio, and founded South Kingstown-based real estate agency R. D. Denelle and Company, Inc., which he led for the next 58 years as founder and chief executive officer.

A former president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, Ron was a firm believer in hard work and education. In keeping with those values, he established the Ronald D. Denelle Scholarship Fund at the URI, an endowed scholarship awarded annually to URI students in good academic standing, with preference given to students from South County.

A lifelong athlete, Ron grew up swimming in Narragansett Bay and lifeguarding at The Dunes Club. He was an avid tennis player and golfer, and one of his greatest memories was winning the Point Judith Country Club Four-ball golf tournament in 1994 with Bob Mahoney. Ron treasured the friendships and memories he built through his memberships at Point Judith Country Club, The Dunes Club, and Sara Bay Country Club in Sarasota, FL.

A true gentleman with a warm sense of camaraderie, Ron cherished his weekly lunches with close friends — a lively tradition filled with laughter, stories, and enduring friendship.

Ron met his wife, Sandra (Fitzgerald), while they were in middle school, and enjoyed 68 years of marriage. Ron is survived by Sandra; their daughters, Christie Creamer (Patrick), Tracy Denelle (Andy Doyle), and Marilee Bell (Peter); and his sons, Scott Denelle (Lisa) and Dale Denelle (Lori Conaty).

He also leaves behind his 12 grandchildren, Brittany Creamer, Haleigh Karam (Mike), Cameron Creamer (Alyson), Tucker Cohen (Silvia), Denelle Cohen, Jaime DeLuise (Jacob), Brian Denelle (Corrine), Eva Denelle, Oliver Denelle, Frank Bell (Maeve), Bradley Bell, and Peter Bell Jr.; and his eight great-grandchildren, Beau Jefferson, Carter and Casey Cohen, Maya and Elle DeLuise, Isla and Lucy Denelle, and Poppy Karam.

Ron is also survived by his beloved brother, Denny Denelle (Diane Tetreault). His sister, Ann Marie Denelle, predeceased him.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to HopeHealth Hospice & Palliative Care in memory of Ronald Denelle at www.HopeHealthCo.org/inmemory.