John "Jack" R. Vigneau

John (“Jack”) R. Vigneau, 97, died on April 8, 2023. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Palmer Vigneau in 2016. He was the oldest child of the late Harry R. and Mary A. (McManus) Vigneau. He was predeceased by brothers, David L., James L., and sisters Jane F., R.N. and Margaret (“Margot”) M. Craig. He is survived by his sister, Mary A. Raymond, of North Kingstown.

Jack resided at Roberts Health Center in North Kingstown for over six years where was lovingly cared for by an amazing staff. They became his family.

A graduate of St. Paul’s School in Edgewood, he attended LaSalle Academy. After high school, he entered the Shadowbrook Jesuit Seminary in the Berkshires. A graduate of Boston College and Fordham University, he was ordained in June of 1956 at Woodstock College in Maryland. He taught English and was Director of Admissions at Cranwell School in Lenox, MA for two years, followed by Assistant Principal of Cheverus High School in Portland, ME. He then became the first Principal of Xavier High School in Concord, MA.

He left the priesthood in 1970 and became a Vice President at Roger Williams University. He met and married Pat and they eventually moved to Staten Island. Jack then worked for New York State Hospitals, Manhattan. Upon their retirement, they moved to Spring Hill, FL where he volunteered as a cook for a small hospice home, Habitat for Humanity and their Catholic parish. He and Pat traveled around the world and together enjoyed theater, reading, and entertaining. Jack was a wonderful gardener.

As a kid he spent summers on the water at Mt. View in North Kingstown where he and his siblings spent hours in their row boat using their imaginations for many adventures.

Jack was a loving uncle to six nephews and five nieces. He loved sitting around a campfire, hiking, and using opportunities to teach.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 381 School St., North Kingstown on Saturday, May 13 ^th at 10:00am, followed by a collation at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1265 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown. Please consider a donation to a food pantry of your choice, in Jack’s memory.