Wayne R. Hitchener

Wayne R. Hitchener, a retired biochemist, passed away Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his home in Warwick. He was 78 years of age. He was the beloved husband of Ewa S. (Kiersznowska) Slusareck-Hitchener to whom he shared 17 years of marriage. Born in Providence he was the oldest of 5 children born to the late Edmund T. and Virginia A. (Olivieri) Hitchener.
A strict academic at heart, he obtained his PhD from the University of Rhode Island and went on to work in the field of research and analysis. He was a wealth of knowledge and well versed in all subjects from politics to history and loved to engage in lively conversations.
Wayne was the father of Christopher Hitchener and Nicole Hitchener and the brother of Mark Hitchener, Alan Hitchener, Janice Pangman and the late Paul Hitchener. He also leaves behind his beloved cat, Lapka.
A Funeral Service will be held Monday, December 29, 2025, at 11am in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. His burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations to Warwick Animal Shelter, 101 Arthur W. Devine Blvd., Warwick, RI 02886 will be greatly appreciated