Ronald R. Lagueux

Judge Ronald R. Lagueux, age 91, passed away on May 3, 2023 at home with his wife, Denise, by his side.

He was born in Lewiston, ME, the only child of Arthur Lagueux and Lauretta (Turcotte) Lagueux. Judge Lagueux excelled in athletics at Lewiston High School, lettering in four sports, football, basketball, and both pitching for the baseball team and running the 440 meters for the track team during the same spring seasons. He turned down offers from The Cardinals and The Red Sox to pursue his academic interests at Bowdoin College, graduating cum laude in 1953. He then received his JD from Harvard Law School in 1956. Following law school he came to RI to practice law with the firm of Edwards and Angell. He took a 2 year leave of absence to serve as Executive Council to Governor John H. Chaffee in 1963/64. In 1964 he unsuccessfully ran for the US Senate against incumbent John O. Pastore. After returning to private practice, specializing in civil litigation, at Edwards and Angell, he left as a full partner in 1968 to sit on the RI Superior Court bench until 1985. He moved across town to the Federal Courthouse after being appointed by President Reagan to be a Federal Judge for the District of RI, serving as Chief Judge for 7 years, taking senior status in 2001 and fully retiring in 2016.

He will be profoundly missed by his wife of 66 years, Denise (Boudreau) Lagueux, three children, Michelle Lagueux and her husband, William Burgess, Gregory Lagueux, and Barrett Lagueux Chapin and his wife, Betsy Chapin. He leaves behind five grandchildren, Samuel Chapin, Gregory Lagueux, Jr, Curtis Chapin, Jacqueline Lagueux, and James Chapin, and one great-grandchild, Genevieve Chapin.

His family wishes to thank Domonique Sherman, Ashlee Loverdi, and Breanna Gallant for their exceptional care given to Ronald during his last three years.

Memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in his name.

Arrangements are in the care of the Home of J.H. WILLIAMS & CO.  

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