Ronald DiMatteo, 77, of Wakefield, RI (formerly of Brooklyn and Middletown, NY & Las Vegas, NV) passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on November 17th, after a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was the beloved husband to Linda (Vento) DiMatteo for 54 years and was the adored father of Gary DiMatteo and wife Linda of Suffern, New York, Erica Estus and husband Todd of Wakefield, Rhode Island, Dan DiMatteo of Wakefield and Kristina Fields and husband Chase of Wakefield. Ron is survived by his 7 grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Andrew, Anna, Cara, Ryan, Josephine, Jack & Vivienne as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Mickey & Tommy.

He was born to the late Michael & Concetta DiMatteo on March 30, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY. Ron graduated from LaFayette High School in Brooklyn and received a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from St. John’s University, Jamaica Queens. He served as a pharmacist in Vietnam in a US Army EVAC hospital, and had a 53-year career as a pharmacist. He worked at many pharmacies before opening his own independent community pharmacy, Scotchtown Pharmacy, in Middletown New York…..a true family business employing almost all of his children at some point. Ron was a longtime resident of Middletown and in his 25+ years in the area, was very involved in his community. He was the charter president of the Town of Wallkill East Rotary Club, St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Parish Council, and President of the Pharmacists Society of Orange County where he was recognized as Pharmacist of the Year.

Ron and his family moved to Narragansett, Rhode Island where he worked at Wakefield Prescriptions & Brooks Pharmacy and then relocated to Las Vegas, NV for over 10 years. Ron and Linda enjoyed their time and the weather there taking in over 40+ shows of top entertainers (Cher, Meatloaf and Elton John were amongst his favorites!). Ron also began swimming later in life and qualified for the Senior Olympics traveling to Houston, TX to compete. Other hobbies he enjoyed included golf, scuba diving and running. Ron and Linda moved back to Wakefield RI and he continued his career as a pharmacist at Walmart. In RI, they resided at Brook Edge Village where Ron was an active member of the Board of Directors. He always looked forward to his Tuesday morning men’s breakfasts with his neighbors at Old Mountain Lanes where they would discuss current events and the news of the day each week.

Ron was a lifelong learner and teacher– he always said how important it was to have the foundation of a “good education” and was always willing to participate in any program or event with current pharmacy students. He mentored future pharmacists when he owned his own pharmacy in NY and even after moving to RI, he did this at URI College of Pharmacy. His daughter Erica, also a pharmacist, often invited him to come to her classes where he would tell stories about his career and volunteer to be interviewed as a “patient” and he’d always have a way to make it entertaining! He never missed an opportunity to participate– even coming to URI just a few short weeks ago to share his leukemia experience with Erica’s students.

Ron was passionate about all things New York sports- Go Mets! Go Jets! Go Rangers! Go Knicks! If the New York Jets make it to the super bowl this year, we’ll all know Ron had a hand in that..

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. John Reagan and the wonderful nurses of the Lifespan Cancer Institute in Providence (specifically Cheryl, Rama & Stacey) who took tremendous care of Ron during his weekly treatments and blood transfusions. He looked forward to these outings and each week rallied to get stronger – exercising and improving his strength- with his amazingly positive attitude.

A memorial mass will be held at Christ the King in Kingston, Rhode Island on Tuesday 11/22 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lifespan Cancer Institute: https://giving.lifespan.org/Lifespan-Foundation (designation fund: Malloy Strong Lifespan Cancer Institute). All proceeds will benefit current and future cancer patients receiving treatment, including those special snacks that he looked forward to each week!