Joseph R. Degnan, Sr., 92, of Narragansett, passed away peacefully Monday, February 23rd. He was the beloved husband of the late Eileen (Brodie) Degnan.

Born in Providence, he was a son of the late William E. and Helena (Ryan) Degnan.

Mr. Degnan retired as Principal of the Webster Avenue School after a 35-year teaching career in the Providence School System. In 1994 he and his wife relocated to Narragansett where they were faithful communicants of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. He continued to serve his community as a bus driver for the Narragansett Public Schools and volunteered delivering meals to those in need. An avid swimmer, he found joy at the University of Rhode Island pool and at Salty Brine Beach.

He is survived by five children, Joseph R Degnan, Jr. (Jane Ann), Mary Degnan (Joseph Piro) Jane Ryan (Michael), Colleen McCarthy (John), and Michael Degnan (Marsha); sixteen grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late William Degnan, Jr., Mary Sugrue, and Edward Degnan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 2nd at 10:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 864 Pt. Judith Road, Narragansett. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Sunday, March 1st, from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm. Joseph Degnan was a faithful man who wanted a simple funeral without flowers. Please honor his wish and make memorial donations to St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 864 Pt. Judith Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.