RICHARD D. "RICK" JENDZEJEC

JENDZEJEC, RICHARD D. “RICK”  of Providence, passed away peacefully with the sun shining down on him, surrounded by love, on Friday, June 3, 2022 at the age of 75. Born December 26, 1946 in Providence, RI, he was the son of the late Ferdinand “Fritz” Jendzejec and Norma E. (Gardiner) Jendzejec. He was pre-deceased by his long-time love Patricia “Patti” Rossi.  He leaves behind his loving daughter, Melissa Jendzejec-Blanchard, her husband Gregory Blanchard, and their two sons Zachary and Joshua of Cumberland, his step-son Anthony Rossi and partner Jocelyn Poulin of Providence, his grandson Nicholas Ruscito, and Nicholas’ mother Michelle Ruscito.

Growing up in Coventry, Rick went to our Lady of Czestochowa where he was able to enjoy the Polish heritage he was so proud of, and play on the basketball team. He graduated from Bishop Hendricken in 1964 and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Rhode Island, where he was a brother of Sigma Nu Fraternity.  After graduating from URI, he became a member of the Army National Guard Reserves and then spent 32 years working for the PUC of the State of Rhode Island, where he earned an award from Governor Almond for his work on Y2K.  After retirement, Rick spent over a decade working at the fieldhouse at Rhode Island College, greeting the students as they came to work out, and answering the phone at Mario’s Towing in his spare time.

Throughout life, outside of his family, Rick’s greatest loves were the beach, basketball, baseball, a cold soda and a good cigar.  Rick’s summer days were spent either on Scarborough beach with his Patti, or at Roy Carpenter’s Beach with his daughter and her family – he was known as the tall guy with the great hair and darkest tan around.  His love of basketball stretched his whole life, whether it be playing the game, coaching CYO, going to Prep school tournaments, attending Fast Break Club events, watching his grandsons, or attending URI Men’s games, where he was a season ticket holder.  In the off season, he filled his days watching baseball, especially his beloved Red Sox.

His funeral will be Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 8:45am from the Iannotti Funeral Home at MAPLE ROOT, 2000 Nooseneck Hill Rd. (95/Exit 6/Rte.3) Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in Our Lady of Czenstochowa Church, Coventry. Entombment in St. Ann Cemetery will be private. Visiting hours are Tuesday evening, June 7, 2022 from 5 -8pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the University of Rhode Island Men’s Basketball team would be greatly appreciated. URI FOUNDATION, 79 UPPER COLLEGE RD., KINGSTON, RI 02881 or  URIFAE.org and "make a gift" is on homepage. Payable to URI Athletics Men's Basketball. iannottifh.com

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