David Paul Ratcliffe

Warwick Beacon ·

David Paul Ratcliffe, 57, of Aurora, Colorado and formerly of Warwick, RI, passed away on April 8, 2017 at Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, Pa. He had been in ill health for several years.

Born on November 24, 1959, he was the son of Samuel W. and the late Faith E. (Barton) Ratcliffe.

He graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 1977 and attended Bryant College for a short time before enlisting in the Air Force in 1979. As a member of the security police, Dave served his country for over 14 years, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. His deployment and assignments sent him to several states and to Greece where, in 1986, he received an achievement award for meritorious service while assigned to the 7061st Munitions Support Squadron, Araxos Radio Relay Location, Greece. After his discharge from the Air Force, Dave settled with Juli, his wife, and their two boys, in Colorado where he worked as a Fed Ex Delivery Service Operator for over 20 years, retiring in 2014 due to declining health.

While in Colorado, Dave was active with his children as they journeyed into Little League baseball. He served as an assistant coach on many of the teams they joined and later served on the Little League Board of Directors for the Aurora area. He was well liked and respected by many in his field and maintained many friendships from his youth and throughout his life. An avid sports fan, Dave loved watching all sports, especially his favorite team, the New England Patriots.

In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Juli Ratcliffe, two sons: Daniel P. Ratcliffe and his fiancée, Vanessa Neuber and their two children, Morgan and Connor, and son Zachary W. Ratcliffe, all of Aurora, Colorado. He is also survived by his younger sister, Beth and husband Emeric Schultz and three nephews, Joe, TJ and John Schultz, as well as several Uncles and cousins.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the American Diabetes Association. (donations.diabetes.org)