Dr. J. Richard Ratcliffe entered this world on December 29, 1928 in Quinnville Village, Lincoln, Rhode Island and died on December 31, 2024 in Cumberland.

Dr. Ratcliffe started his educational journey at Quinnville Grammar School, a two-room schoolhouse, and went on to graduate from Cumberland High School in 1946. He attended Providence College and then matriculated at Georgetown Dental School, from which he graduated in 1954. While studying in Washington D.C., he met Edith Kerrigan. They married in Boston in 1955 and went on to have 8 children: Richard (Margaret) of Newport, RI; Robert of Cumberland; Thomas (Kim) of Carlisle, MA; Susan Millar (Scott) of Exeter, RI; Maryann Crews (Christopher) of Andover, MA; Christopher (Melinda) of Cumberland; Caroline (Charles) of Bethesda, MD; and Elizabeth Whitney (Grant) of Southborough, MA.

After graduating from dental school, Dr. Ratcliffe served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was stationed on Adak Island in the Alaskan Aleutian Island chain. Upon his discharge, he opened a dental practice in Cumberland, where he served his patients well into his 80's. He was also employed by the Cumberland School Department as the school dentist for over 40 years.

Dr. Ratcliffe was predeceased by his parents Alice and Edward and his brother Ted. He is survived by his beloved wife, Edith, to whom he was married for 69 years, his 8 children, 17 grandchildren and a great granddaughter, whom he met days before his passing. He is also survived by his brother John (Joyce) of Rhode Island.

Calling hours are at the O'Neill Funeral Home, 3102 Mendon Road, Cumberland, RI on Friday January 3, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1303 Mendon, Rd., Cumberland, RI, on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM. He will be buried with military honors at St. Joseph Cemetery in Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers .