Ronald "Ronnie" Desantis

"Remember who loves ya, baby!"
Ronnie passed away peacefully at home in Stoneham, Massachusetts on July 23, 2025. Ronnie
was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 14, 1952. He attended Malden High School and
Salem State University. His career was spent working for the Boston Gas Company and
National Grid. He had many fond memories and lifelong friendships that formed from his time
there.
Ronnie loved horse racing, drinking coffee, watching Boston sports, following politics, adoring
his grandchildren, checking out the latest movies, listening to music, enjoying good food, telling
jokes and stories and laughing with his longest and closest friends, Gerald Breen and Robert
Kucharzyk. He was always happy to be at the beach in the summer and the mountains in the
winter.
He was predeceased by his parents, Louis J. DeSantis and Mary Hayward DeSantis. He is
survived by his loyal sister, Mary Lou Howard and her husband, Ronald Howard; his three
children, Kristin DeSantis Tetreau, Andrew Ronald DeSantis and Philip Louis DeSantis and their
mother, Nancy Young DeSantis; Kristin's husband, Matthew Tetreau and Andrew's wife,
Samantha DeSantis and their children (the loves of Ron's life), James DeSantis and Molly
DeSantis. Ronnie also cared deeply for his nieces and nephews, Cindy Sweet, Cheryl
Hylton, Kevin Howard, Brian Howard and their spouses and children.
Ronnie had an incredible sense of humor, a huge heart, a thoughtful mind, endless charisma
and courage, and reserves of empathy for anyone who was going through a hard time. He loved
socializing and being around people and he made genuine connections wherever he happened
to be. He is unforgettable.
We love you and we will miss you so much!
Family and friends are invited to remember Ronnie and join us for a Mass in his honor at St. Patrick's Church in Stoneham, MA at 10 AM on Monday, August 4th. We will celebrate his life directly after Mass at Gaetano's Restaurant in Stoneham, MA from 11:30 AM to 2 PM.