STEPHEN A. RICE JR.

RICE, JR., STEPHEN A., 79, of West Warwick, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Friday, September 26, 2025 at the UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Stephen was the beloved husband of Leora Lee Rice for 40 years.  

Raised in Coventry, Stephen was the beloved son of the late S. Arnold and Marjorie (Campbell) Rice.  A proud graduate of Florida State University, remaining a lifelong fan of Seminoles football and influencing his son Jeremy and niece Amy to attend the same.  He also proudly served in the RI National Guard for a number of years.

Stephen joined his father and mother to run the family business, Rice Machinery, Inc. on Pontiac Ave., Cranston where he became President until he retired in 2013.  He was a competitive golfer and longtime member of Valley Country Club.  On Fridays Dad religiously ate Fish and Chips, extra crispy, Saturdays were filled with college football and Sundays with NFL, always rooting for the New England Patriots.  Stephen was also a lifelong member of the West Warwick Amici club, serving many years as their Treasurer. 

He was the loving father of Jennifer, Larry and his partner Melissa, Corrie, Casey and his partner Karen, and Jeremy and his wife Julie. Stephen was the adoring grandfather of Hayden, Sophie Lee, Jeremy Jules and Wyatt. He also leaves his sister Susan and her husband Richard.

Stephen had a heart of gold and will be missed by all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Thursday evening, October 2, 2025 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the IANNOTTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington St., (Rte.117) Coventry. Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Rhode Island Community Food Bank would be appreciated. iannottifh.com

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