Kendall, Ronald R.

By Canton Citizen

Ronald Raymond Kendall, 79, of Canton, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2026, after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Loving son of the late Gladys and Ray Kendall, Ron was welcomed into the family shortly after his birth through the gift of adoption. Raised in Brockton and East Bridgewater, he graduated from East Bridgewater High School before enlisting in the Air Force at 18 years old. He served in the Military Police with distinction. His time in England and France broadened his view of the world and who he could become in it. After returning home, Ron, who in his own words “wasn’t much of a student,” earned his bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State University before attaining his master’s at Suffolk University.

Ron met his wife, Donna, while at Bridgewater State and quickly became a fixture at the Hazels’ home on Althea Road in Randolph. Soon living as part of the family, Ron navigated the mix of big personalities in a small space, including the antics of younger brothers, Evern and Willy, who became his lifelong friends. After marrying, Ron and Donna had two children and followed his career through multiple states before settling in Canton permanently in 1987.

Ron began his career in the hotel industry as a bus boy at the Holiday Inn in Randolph. He doggedly chased opportunities for advancement and worked his way up, from front desk attendant to general manager, to regional manager and eventually to founding a small hotel development company. That small company grew to become Buffalo Lodging Associates, where he served as president for nearly 40 years. Having started at the bottom, he knew how valuable every individual’s contribution was, regardless of position, to the success of the company.

Ron was an individual who both loved to pursue goals and absolutely could not sit still. He put that energy to good use playing tennis competitively at Bridgewater State, running marathons, golfing, and playing and coaching basketball. Daily exercise and voracious reading calmed his mind, which was always in search of the next puzzle to solve or idea to contemplate. He enjoyed the camaraderie and connection of a great conversation, especially over a cigar.

Family was at the heart of Ron’s life. His legacy is the example he set — of leaving things better than he found them, championing the beauty of second chances, and showing that the right thing to do is not a choice but a given.

Ron is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna (nee Hazel), who shared in his life with love and companionship. He also leaves behind his children, Joe Kendall and his wife, Trish, of Canton, and Rachel Rigoli and her husband, Jameson, of Canton. Ron was a proud grandfather to Lilly and Sam Kendall, and Cece and Tessa Rigoli, each of whom was a source of great pride and happiness. Ron is also survived by his many siblings, some whose friendship he enjoyed his whole life, Raymond Kendall of Florida, and some it was his great pleasure to find in adulthood, Brenda Patterson of Stoughton, Teresa Thomas of Norwood, Anne Beckira and her husband, Bill Mealey, of Portsmouth, NH, David Rosati and his wife, Jacqueline, of Millis, and Diane Carroll and her husband, Jim, of Somersworth, NH.

Ron lived a full life up until the very end, dedicated first and foremost to his family, followed by his passion for work and his employees, exercise, and close friendships. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A funeral service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 4, at the Congregational Church of Canton with a luncheon to follow. A private family burial will take place at Knollwood Memorial Park on Saturday, September 5. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Boston Food Bank at gbfb.org/ways-to-give/honor-someone-special.

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