Paul J. Gonville
Date of Passing:
Paul J. “Jerry” Gonville, 85, of Houghton Street, Barrington, RI died peacefully January 27,
2025, while in the care of Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence. He was
surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry was the beloved husband of Ginny (Pineo) Gonville for 61 years. They made their
forever home in Barrington beginning in 1969 where they raised their family together. The
two shared a deep love of bird watching and instilled this interest in many family and
friends. Jerry was a member of the Audubon Societies of Rhode Island, Massachusetts,
and Tuscon, AZ. He also was a member of the Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch and the
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Jerry and Ginny also shared a love of traveling, often centering
their adventures in opportunities to expand and deepen their admiration and knowledge of
all things avian.
Jerry was a member of the Barrington Land Trust-Conservancy as well as formerly serving
at the Barrington YMCA where he was on the Board of Management and Chair of the
Program Committee. He was involved in Barrington youth sports as a volunteer manager
and coach of little league baseball, soccer, and Pop Warner football, as well as YBA and
CYO basketball.
A 1963 undergraduate of Lowell Technical Institute and a 1968 Master’s degree recipient
from Western New England College, he was Business Manager at Raytheon in Portsmouth,
RI for 35 years before his retirement in 2004.
Jerry is preceded in death by his sister Mary Jane and survived by his brother Donald and
his sister Cheryl. His cherished children Cherie, Debbie and David and seven beloved
grandchildren also survive.
A private funeral service and burial will be held at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence.
There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jerry’s memory to the
Barrington Land Trust are welcomed: PO Box 324 Barrington, RI 02806 https://www.blct.org/
Dear Ginny and all your family,
I was so sad to learn today from Don Heitzmann aboutJerry‘s death it was truly shocking news.,,I’m so sorry I’ve been out of touch with you guys for quite some time please know I’m thinking of you and will give you a call pretty soon. Jerry was a totally awesome man and I consider both of you very best of friends and so grateful for your friendship and for out shared birding adventures.
Please know I’m saying prayers for you all for comfort in good memories and in knowing how many people were touched by Jerry’s life.
Much love to you to your family to the grandkids.
Big Hug, 🥰 Jana
Ginny, Debbie and family, we are so sorry for your loss. We will definitely miss seeing Jerry, he was so much a part of this neighborhood. Our prayers and love go out to all of you.
Ginny,
My condolences to you and the family on this sad news. I’ll miss him as well. He was always a teacher, mentor, and friend to me. A benefactor as well. He hired me in 1982, a start to a long career with Raytheon. I will hold onto my many fond memories with a smile for Jerry.
Tom & Karen (Pesola) Craven
Barrington
Dear Ginny , David and family
We are sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. Lots of good time memories with you and Jerry at many Raytheon gatherings and dinners too , a Celtics game and many more . Our love to you Ginny and special prayers for you all .
Jerry always welcomed me with his warm smile and he was a kindred spirit sharing his knowledge of birding. I’ll carry Jerry in my heart as I walk the trails and meadows at Osamequin. His love of nature was heartfelt and he will be deeply missed.
My sincere condolences to Jerry’s family and friends on his passing. I had the pleasure of working alongside Jerry for well over twenty years. A true gentleman, having a great sense of humor always ready with the right answers to the situation at hand. He will certainly be missed.
Bill Killeavy
Ginny, my deepest sympathies in the loss of your beloved Gerry. I will never forget our fun time with Rosie in the wilds of AZ looking for birds. My prayers are with you and your family. Much love, Susan
Ginny, I am so sorry to hear this. Jerry was a classmate who was a good friend and an O Pi Brother, and I was always happy to see both of you at our reunions. He will be greatly missed.
Bill
Ginny, so sorry to hear about your loss. Beverly and I enjoyed our time with you both at OPi events. Your family is in our prayers.
Steve and Beverly
Gone, but not forgotten. Ginny the memories of you and Jerry will always remain in our hearts. We don’t want this to be a closing, so hope very much that you will continue with your many O Pi friends, and joining us on the Cape for some bocce this summer.
Your friends,
Tick Toc and Carol
Dear Ginny,
All bird lovers are in the same family; I am one of them! Thank you for talking care of Lombardi Park ; I remember the days when hearing about my Blount uncles’ owning the ice house, and I was in it when I was a little girl!
I send my blessings to you and your family.
Sincerely, Charlotte Sornborger
Ginny,
Ellie & I are so sorry for your loss. It was always a joy seeing you & Jerry and sharing fun times together at numerous O Pi reunions and luncheons. Jerry was a dear friend from when we first were together at 31 Waverly Avenue (1962-1963) until our last get-together in 2024 (Westford reunion).
Please be assured that Jerry, you, and your entire family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings🙏,
Dave & Ellie White
Dear Ginny and family,
We are so sad to hear the news. May the memory of all the good times you spent together bring you comfort. God bless you all.
Tom and Karen
Sending my deepest sympathies to your family. So very sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Gonville family. Sending prayers.
Deb, Dave, Maeve, and family – I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Jerry, but if his family is any indicator he was a special person. May you be overwhelmed with love as you process the grief.
I will always remember Jerry with binoculars in hand, spotting birds on the horizon. His gentleness and kindness made you want to listen and observe with him, appreciating nature the way he did. Together with his beloved wife, Ginny, he shared his love and knowledge of birds and nature with others. He contributed his talents and energy selflessly to preserve and care for open space and made his fellow volunteers at the Barrington Land Conservation Trust better in so many ways. We will miss you deeply, Jerry.
Our deepest sympathy to Ginny and to all of their family. He will be greatly missed!
Sending love and prayers.
Pete & Linda Rawlings