Chief Thomas "Tim" J. Ronayne III, CFD (Ret.)

Thomas "Tim" J. Ronayne III, a devoted public servant, dedicated Canton firefighter of more than four decades, and loving father of two; grandfather to four, passed away on May 23, 2026, at home peacefully and surrounded by his family. He was 81 years old. Tim was a lifelong resident of Canton, Massachusetts, where he lived, worked, volunteered, and raised his family.

Tim began his career with the Canton Fire Department in 1967 as a Permanent Intermittent Firefighter and never looked back.  Over the next 42 years, he rose through every rank of the department: Firefighter, Fire Lieutenant, Department Training Officer, Fire Investigator, Fire Prevention Officer, Deputy Chief, and Acting Chief before being appointed Chief of the Canton Fire Department in 2001; a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 2009. All the while, finding time for family trips to Cape Cod, Disney World, Aruba, or anywhere else where he could spend time with his family.

Tim was the epitome of a firefighting professional. A 1992 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s four-year Executive Fire Officer Program, who additionally earned a Chief Fire Officer Management Certificate from Suffolk University as well as a Fire Arson Investigator Certificate from the National Fire Academy. Of his many professional accomplishments, the two of which he was most proud were having co-authored and implemented the Incident Command System across thirteen Massachusetts communities and having developed fire safety programs for the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Department of Public Education.

Tim was predeceased by his beloved wife of over 50 years, Theresa (Ammendolia) Ronayne, in December 2019. Together they had two children.  He is survived by his son, Michael Ronayne of Pittsburgh, PA; his daughter, Stacy (Ronayne) Garrity of Duxbury, MA; his daughter-in-law, Lauren Ronayne; his former son-in-law, Brian Garrity of Norwood, MA; his siblings, Barry Ronayne of Canton, MA; and Susan (Ronayne) Hogan of Kingston, MA as well as many other loving and caring nieces, nephews and family members.

One of Tim’s defining characteristics was the loving relationship he shared with his four grandchildren who lovingly called him “Giggy.” He leaves behind Annabelle Garrity of Denver, CO; Ace (Aidan) Garrity of Norwood, MA; and John and Karina Ronayne of Aliquippa, PA. His love, generosity and silly sense of humor will be missed by them most of all.

Visiting Hours will be held at Pushard Funeral Home in Canton on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:30 AM from the St. Oscar Romero Parish on Washington Street, Canton. Interment will follow at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made either to the Canton, MA Fire Department or the Old Colony Hospice and Palliative Care, of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

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