John H. Daniels

John H. Daniels, 88, of Warwick, passed away peacefully at his home on January 15, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara M. (Pagliaro) Daniels, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage.

John and Barbara were introduced to each other in 1961 by their dear friends Irene and John, who thought they would make an excellent match. They hit it off immediately and that was the beginning of their beautiful life story. They were married in 1963, moving to Warwick in 1965 where they raised their family and spent the remainder of their life.

John graduated from LaSalle Academy and Providence College and worked the better part of 40 years in the Insurance industry before retiring from Capuano Insurance. He was most happy in retirement because it allowed him to focus on the things he truly enjoyed - family, friends, travel, and sports. He always looked forward to his annual trip to Saratoga Springs with family and close friends for the races. He also shared many memorable weekends on the Cape at the cottage of Cousin Connie and Dan with said family and friends. John generously and thoughtfully arranged annual weekend stays in Brewster with immediate family, which they have been enjoying for as long as they can remember. He loved to extend his Brewster stay to invite his cousins to come to play a round or two of golf. John also loved to take cruises. Friends and family will never forget all the treasured memories created together on many beautiful cruise vacations.

John was well known to be an avid sports fan, an athlete in his younger days and always and forever a devoted spectator. He loved golf, tennis, basketball, football and all things baseball. John was a dedicated supporter of the PC Friars and a lifelong NY Yankees fan; friends and some family members forgive you.

John's true joy came from spending time with his grandchildren. He and Barbara lovingly provided day care for all the children in their early childhood years. Papa had a profound influence on the children. He was ever so intent on teaching them essential lessons, such as the value of a warm chocolate chip cookie with coffee for breakfast, the importance of a bit of friendly competition, and the life benefits of playing poker, particularly Follow the Queen and Seven-card-stud, with real money no less! He also left the children with sweet memories of weekly field trips to the library, carousal rides at the mall and Roger Williams Park, a good game of scrabble, and his very own home-baked chocolate chip cookies, which he always proclaimed were the best. As the children got older, Papa became their number one sports fan. The refrigerator calendar was always filled with their high school and tournament schedules, and it was his primary purpose to attend as many games as he could (softball, baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice hockey and tennis). Papa became a well-known spectator at those games, famous for always sporting his favorite visor and windbreaker.

John was a generous, humble, and kind man, private by nature. Those who knew him well will fondly remember his Perry Como-like temperament, dry sense of humor, love for telling jokes, playing cards or a spirited game of dice, doing the daily ProJo word jumble, his enviable shot glass collection, his penchant for yard sales, his amazing juggling abilities, the annual Christmas party, and of course, that famous "Daniels" smirk. If you asked him what his secret to life was, he would always respond "I don't worry about anything". John was such a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a loyal friend - loved by all who knew him. RIP

John was the son of the late Irving J. and Hazel (Hogan) Daniels. He was the brother of the late Helen Marie Laughlin and her husband Richard, and the beloved nephew of the late Ralph Daniels Sr., whom he lived with in his late teens. John is survived by his son John D. Daniels and his wife Kathleen, his daughters Jill D. Daniels and Jennifer L. Medina, and his six cherished grandchildren: Jessica, Kaitlyn and Meaghan Daniels, Robert Larkin, and Alayna and Sariah Medina, along with a special place in his heart for Patrick and Sarah Ramos and his dear friend Jane White.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 23 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm in the "WOODLAWN" Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave., Cranston. His funeral will be held at 8:45 am Saturday, January 24, from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Paul Church, 30 Warwick Ave., Cranston. Committal Prayers will follow in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in John's memory may be made to Beacon Hospice,1130 Ten Rod Rd, North Kingstown, RI 02852.

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com