Kay H. Duckworth Jr.

Born in Tampa, FL, he was the son of the late Kay H. Duckworth Sr. and Kathleen (Cronin) Duckworth.

Kay was the loving father of Michael E Duckworth Sr and his wife Vanessa E Duckworth; cherished grandfather of Michael E Duckworth Jr. and Jason Kay Duckworth; and adored brother of Carolyn ‘CJ’ (Duckworth) Toppin (and her late husband Addison Toppin) and Alma (Duckworth) Mullaney. He also leaves behind his beloved nieces, nephews, and Nicole Rayta, all of whom were a cherished part of his life. His family was his number one priority at all times, and he always sacrificed and placed his family, friends, and work family first. He was an extremely kind, caring, loving, and gentle soul who was a beloved husband, father, papa, brother, and uncle.

A proud Rhode Islander, Kay graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1959 and the University of Rhode Island in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. After graduation, he served his country in the Army from 1965 to 1971. He first completed airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1966, earning his certification as a paratrooper. As a reserve commissioned officer in the Army Corps of Engineers, he then contributed to infrastructure development and military operations in Korea in the years following the Korean War armistice. Upon his return, he broadened his expertise with an MBA from Bryant College in 1976. That same year, he co-founded RBC Industries, Inc. a manufacturing company, which he led for 44 years, specializing in epoxy resin systems for jewelry, decorative applications, industrial flooring, and concrete repair.

Outside of his professional achievements, Kay was an avid sportsman and dedicated fan. He was a highly competitive tournament racquetball player for over 20 years and a New England Patriots season ticket holder for over 25 years. He loved the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and both University of Rhode Island and Providence College basketball. In his quieter moments, he enjoyed classic television shows like Gunsmoke, as well as legal and military dramas such as Law and Order and JAG. A lifelong learner, he was an avid reader, particularly drawn to the works of authors like John Grisham and Michael Crichton.

His visitation will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 142 Centerville Rd, Warwick.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Gregory the Great Church, 360 Cowesett Rd, Warwick. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the RI Veterans’ Cemetery, Exeter, RI.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.