Ronald L. Kennan, 47, Was Vineyard Haven Native

Ronald (Ronnie) L. Kennan, 47, of East Hartford, Conn., died Oct. 23.

He was born on Jan. 1, 1959, in Oak Bluffs.

He attended the Tisbury School until he moved off-Island with his family. He was the son of Robert M. and Judith E. (Allen) Kennan, both formerly of Vineyard Haven. 

Ronald served in the United States Marine Corps. He received the Navy-Marine Corps Medal and the Presidential Award for saving a young man's life and risking his own when assisting two police officers to safety during the rescue.

He was employed by FJB in Rocky Hill, Conn., where he was a top-notch salesman and a hard worker, and enjoyed putting a sales deal together.

Survivors include his sons Ronald Scott Kennan and his wife, Tammy, of Wethersfield, Conn., Christopher Kennan of Florida, Mark Kennan of Manchester, Conn., and Michael and David Kennan, both of Rockville, Conn.; a grandchild, Ethan Kennan; his brothers Robert M., Kennan Jr. of Bristol, Conn., Richard Kennan and his wife Patricia, of Enfield, Conn., Eric Kennan and his wife Nicole, of East Hartford, Conn.; his sister Heidi Rydzewski and her husband Matthew of Vineyard Haven; and 15 nieces and nephews.

Ronald was predeceased by his brother, William W. Kennan.

Relatives and friends from Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Boston and Connecticut gathered together Oct. 30 at the Small & Pietras funeral Home in Rockville, Conn., to celebrate Ronnie's life. After a graveside service, interment followed in Silver Lane Cemetery.