Ronald S. Graves

COVENTRY, R.I. - Ronald S. Graves, 61, of Coventry, R.I., died Thursday (Sept. 14, 2006) at his residence in Port Charlotte, Fla.

He was born June 4, 1945, in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from Rockwell High School in 1963, where he set the state record for the 100-yard dash, one that will never be broken.

He retired in 2004, suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He received a lung transplant in April of 2005 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. He fought a courageous battle before succumbing to chronic lung rejection.

He did two tours of duty as a Ranger in the Army, serving in Korea and Vietnam. He attained the rank of captain and received numerous decorations and medals, including two bronze stars.

After his discharge from the Army, he was a tool and die maker in Attleboro, Mass. He then owned and ran King Printing in Providence, R.I. After selling this business, he started a company called Minifold, a paper bindery company, in East Providence, R.I.

Ron married Rosemary Dinati Russell on Dec. 27, 1985. They lived in Seekonk, Mass., for 17 years.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his daughter, Darcy Bramley and her husband, Rick, and their daughters, Anna and Alexandra, of Manfield, Mass; his stepchildren, Adam Russell, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Wendy Russell, of Providence, R.I.

Ron leaves seven brothers and sisters, Nadine Tice (David Tice), Charles City, Curtis Graves (Sue), of Hawthorne, N.J., Mark Graves (Mava), of Port Charlotte, Fla., Dona Wood (Dean), Clear Lake, Lloyd Graves (Cindy), Mason City, Jodie Britt (Shelby), Fort Worth, Texas, and Jon Graves, Sioux Falls, S.D.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rondi; his grandparents, Herbert and Ella Zirbel, of Rockwell, Iowa; and his mother, Alice Graves, of Mason City.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Rhode Island.