Keith Ronald Labelle

Born in New Bedford, he was the beloved son of Ronald H. and Donna L. (Piva) Labelle of Dartmouth. He was a graduate of Dartmouth High School where he excelled in baseball and hockey.

He accepted a scholarship to play Division I baseball at the University of Rhode Island where he was team captain during his senior season. At URI, he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in communication and never left. During his tenure at URI, Keith was instrumental in exacting change by building trust and mutual respect with the whole community through the Women’s Center such as the violence prevention and internship programs.

Keith began as a Research Associate at the Women’s Center in the Division of Student Life. He was promoted to multiple roles and most recently, Keith also served as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, in charge of Education, Outreach, and Training. Keith believed, “It needs to be men and women working together to role model healthy relationships. It is truly important to stick up for others.”

Although they married in 2013, Keith and Karen had known and loved each other for nearly twenty years before that, making countless memories, and building a happy, coastal life in Rhode Island.

Despite all his accomplishments, Keith shared with his friends that his daughter Maeve was his greatest accomplishment, and her strong wit and sass are part of his legacy.

Among Keith’s favorite pastimes were traveling, and he and Karen enjoyed spending summer days at the Beach club and chasing the sun. He and his family cherished their time together in Anguilla. He was an avid Springsteen fan, and they did not miss many concerts. He was proud that Maeve knows many Bruce songs by heart.

In addition to his lifelong love Karen and his parents, Keith is survived by his daughter Maeve Quinn Labelle; two sisters, Jenny Labelle of Boston and Katelyn Houbre and her husband Matt, (nephews Corbin and Atticus) of Fort Myers, FL; his father and mother in-law Desmond and Marian Fahy; and a brother in-law Keith Fahy. Keith’s loss is also being mourned by several aunts, uncles and cousins who will miss his timely support and signature ribbing.

Keith shared a strong bond with his sisters that carried them through both joyful and challenging times. As a student at URI, he forged deep friendships and his close-knit band of brothers remained part of his life. Throughout his life, Keith was a strong support to many family, friends and students who remember his kind listening and his caring, astute guidance.

Keith’s passing coincided with the meteor activity that produced a sonic boom felt on that day in the southeastern area, signaling the profound loss felt by his family, friends and those whose life he positively impacted. He will be forever in our hearts.

Private arrangements are in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home at Dartmouth. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Keith’s honor may be made toward a baseball scholarship and the baseball program at URI.

To make a gift online, please go to alumni.uri.edu/labelle. Checks can be made out to the URI Foundation, PO Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881, with a note in the memo line in memory of Keith Labelle.