Richmond Mourns Ronald Newman

By Cynthia Drummond for BRVCA

Marchi 28th 2025

RICHMOND -- Longtime Richmond resident and former town councilor Ronald Newman passed away at South County Hospital on March 27. He was 69 years of age and had lived in Richmond for 64 years.

Known to his friends as “Ronnie,” he was a Chariho graduate and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in communications at the University of Rhode Island in 1978.

He was the beloved husband of Cathleen Young Newman and devoted “dog father” of Madison.

Prior to his retirement in 2024, Newman was a marketing specialist and inspector for the Rhode Island Department of Agriculture. A Democrat, he served several terms on the Richmond Town Council, in 1994 as council President, in 1996 as Vice President, and two additional terms as a town councilor, in 2014 and 2016.

Newman had an unwavering belief in the value of finding common ground, and he often urged his fellow council members to put aside their political differences and work together for the betterment of the town.

He will also be remembered for his irrepressible sense of humor, which he often deployed at council meetings to relieve tension and lighten the mood, or just because he enjoyed a good laugh.

Remembering Ronnie

BRVCA reached out to several current and former town officials who worked with Newman.

Town Council President Samantha Wilcox:

“It is deeply saddening to hear of the passing of Ronnie Newman. He was a dedicated public servant who will be remembered by many for his genuine kindness and lightheartedness. I wish his family, close friends and our community comfort and peace during this sad time.”

Former Town Council President Mark Trimmer:

“Ronnie was my mentor and my colleague on the council. He was a very kind man who dedicated himself to serving the community.”

Former Town Council President B. Joseph Reddish:

“Ronnie always added a little humor to our council meetings. He was always focused on doing the right thing for our community. He always cared.”

Former Town Council President Richard Nassaney:

“He had the corniest jokes ever, but they were hysterical, because his delivery was perfect. The biggest prankster – ever.”

Town Administrator Karen Pinch:

“Ronnie was on my interview panel when I was hired.  He’s been one of my biggest advocates from the start.  He’d call regularly even after he was off the Council to check in on me and see how things were going.  He was just such a genuinely nice person with a great big heart.  A group of us would go to lunch regularly and those lunches will never be the same.  It’s so sad.”

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 31, at 11 a.m. in Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave., Cranston.

Shiva will be observed on Tuesday, April 1, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at his late residence, 336 Kingstown Road, with Minyan service beginning at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Rhode Island SPCA 155 Plan Way,

Warwick, 02886 or the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Center, 401 Elmgrove Avenue, Providence, 02906.

The full obituary can be found here.