Col. David J. Toye

Colonel David J. Toye, US Army, Ret., 88, of Providence, RI passed into Our Lord's hands on September 19, 2025, at the Hope Health Hospice Center in Providence, RI. He was the beloved husband of Joanne E. Toye for over 50 years.

David lived almost his entire life as a member of the Smith Hill community. He loved his old neighborhood. He was a graduate of Saint Patrick’s School and Hope High School, class of 1957. He also attended Rhode Island College.

Along with his wife, he is survived by his nieces Gail Carson-Fernandes and Peggy Carson; his great-nephews Zachary and Lucas Fernandes, and great-great nephew Dominic Fernandes. He was predeceased by his parents, John J. and Anna M. (Tracey) Toye, his brother John J. Toye, his sister Anne P. Carson, his niece Jean Carson, and nephew William O. Carson III.

Colonel Toye enlisted in the RI Army National Guard in February 1956 while still in high school. He was very proud of his rank of Sergeant just before he entered the RI Officer Candidate School, Class #7. Promoted to Second Lieutenant, upon graduation from OCS, he was assigned to the Field Artillery of the RIARNG. Later, he became the Commanding Officer of the 1043rd Maintenance Company, then to the Commander of the Hq Det State Area Command. He was the most senior advisor to The Adjutant General in the area of equipment operation and maintenance. A job he cherished and worked at it each and every day. David held senior positions as the Superintendent of the Combined Support Maintenance Operation and Director of Maintenance for Rhode Island National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1990. He had attended many US Army Ordinance Courses, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the National Defense University – Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He retired with the rank of Colonel in 1992. He was a life member of the Association of the US Army, the Military Order of Foreign Wars and the Providence Marine Corps of Artillery. Among his numerous awards and decorations for exceptional service to the State of Rhode Island and the United States of America is the Samuel Sharpe Award from the US Army Ordinance Association at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and the Rhode Island Star awarded by the Governor of Rhode Island. An event that David held “dear to his heart” was his “annual drum beat duties and responsibilities” at the Infantry Lodge Association - November 11th Memorial at the Squantum Club in East Providence, RI.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 9:00-10:00 am in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be follow at 10:30 am at St. Patrick Church, 244 Smith Street, Providence. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Patrick Academy, 244 Smith Street, Providence, RI 02908.