Richard M. Warren, 78, of Johnston, passed away on January 26, 2026 after a 50-year battle with heart disease. Rick was born in Providence and after graduation from Johnston High School in 1965, he enlisted in the US Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War. After his military service and while raising his young family, he attended the RI School of Electronics earning a degree in Broadcast Engineering, then went on to earn a B.S. from Rhode Island College in Industrial Arts engineering, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Rick later became one of Rhode Island’s first L1 Master Mechanics before founding his own auto repair business, which he operated until his retirement in 2002.
Rick loved muscle cars and motorsports and had an inherent passion for music; restoring vintage high fidelity audio equipment was a favorite hobby. The consummate outdoorsman, Rick was an avid sea fisherman, you could find him out on the water most Sundays, tanned and happy. He was a lifelong hunter and longtime member of both the Narragansett Bow Hunters Club and Cranston Fish & Game Association and was the proud winner of the 2006 IBO 3D archery World Championship.
Rick is survived by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn (Lachapelle); daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law George Cole; sister Kathryn and brother-in-law Robert Theroux; nephew Trent Theroux; great-niece Haley Theroux; great-nephew Max Theroux; and his beloved cousin Russell Gelfuso. He was predeceased by his parents, Wilfred A. and Dora (Randall Notorantonio) Warren and his brother, P. Rand Warren.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 8-9:30am at Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home in Greenville, immediately followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Philips Church. Interment will be private at a later date at Putnam Heights Cemetery, Putnam CT.
The family kindly requests that in place of flowers, donations be made to support our military veterans through Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Shine on, you crazy diamond...