Donald Oliver

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Manuel and Jennie (Garzone) Oliver.

Donald graduated from North Providence High School. He took every opportunity to further his education graduating from Bryant College with an Associates and Bachelors along with receiving multiple certificates from other colleges including Babson College.

Don grew up and lived in North Providence where he was well known as a volunteer firefighter and police officer early in his career and later as Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and then Chief of Police. He received many awards and commendations throughout his career.

His love for the water and boating later led to a move to Narragansett where he lived on the Salt (Point Judith) Pond with direct access out to Block Island Sound. He was extremely proud of his home, which boasted beautiful views of the pond and the many boats coming in and out along with views of both Wakefield on one side and the open water out to Galilee on the other.

He had wonderful neighbors on Harbor Island who he truly appreciated. He enjoyed nothing more than taking his family and friends clamming and then making his famous spaghetti with clam sauce and stuffed quahogs. He and his friend Bill Trofa spent many summer days over the years quahogging and sharing their bounty. Don loved all seafood including lobster and would order lobster rolls wherever he could.

He was extremely handy and prided himself on building and fixing anything. If he didn't know how to fix something he would learn. He worked very hard rehabbing multi-family houses, fixing automobiles, repairing appliances and everything in between. He so enjoyed anything involving working with his large collection of tools, doing home improvement, yard work, and anything mechanical.

Don kept in touch and looked forward to meeting with his fellow retired North Providence Police Department colleagues monthly at Mike's Kitchen. They shared a close bond and supported one another over the years.

He is survived by his daughters, Lynn Fox (Brad) of Chapel Hill, NC; Debra Ryan (Jack, Ret. PPD) of Greenville; and Donna Oliver (Tim) of Cumberland as well as his grandchildren; Jenna Edwards (Dylan), Joseph Celio, BPD (Michelle), Elizabeth Fox, Emily Fox, Sadie Hatfield (Devin), and Bradley Oliver. He was also so proud of his great-grandchildren and was Papa to Lorenzo, Marco Donald, and Grayson. He was also Papa Don to Jackson and Harrison. The boys lovingly yelled Papa whenever they saw him. He is also survived by his former wife, Carolyn (Czerwein) Oliver of Smithfield and his sister, Diane Shafer of Raleigh, NC. He was preceded in death by his sister Helen Ferrara (Matt) of East Bridgewater, MA and his brother-in-law Robert Shafer of Raleigh, NC.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM in the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence, followed by a service in the funeral home at 12:00PM. Inurnment with Military Honors will follow in the chapel of Saint Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers contributions to St Jude's Children’s Hospital in Donald's memory would be appreciated.

For online tributes and condolences. please visit www.pontarellimarinofunerals.com.