Edward E. Desautel

66, of West Warwick, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was, first and foremost, a loving and devoted family man – the beloved husband, confidant, and best friend of Judith (Murgo) Desautel for 36 years; father of Brett L. (Desautel) Henninger (Jon); stepfather of Marisa L. Menna, Esq. (Jeff) and Lt. Colonel Michael A. Menna, USAF (Morgan); “Papa Ed” to Rhys, Kam, Maxine, and Dorothy; and brother of Debra Hunt. He was predeceased by his cherished parents, Ernest J. and Dolores A. (Capobianco) Desautel.

Ed was a long-time Cranston resident and seemed to know nearly everyone in Rhode Island. He was a manager and local celebrity at Twin Oaks Restaurant for 40 years. After retirement, he found great joy in his daily social gatherings at Starbucks and eight years of work at Nardolillo Funeral Home. Throughout, he made many beloved friends who became family. He was a long-time donor to local charities, and a particular champion of veterans’ causes and Toys for Tots.

A man of utmost discipline and loyalty, Ed studied the philosophies of history’s great warriors, from the Roman legion to Sun Tzu. He lived his life according to those teachings. He was a lifelong athlete and proud third-degree black belt. To Ed, football was not a game so much as a martial art form, a pursuit of strategic and athletic beauty.

Ed was a consummate gentleman and romantic of a bygone era, a man of style both inside and out. His coolness, sharp wit, and humor were unmatched, earning him friends wherever he went. Few can pull off a silver front tooth as he did, well into his 30s. In his later years, he became known for his carefully styled suits, always with a pocket square, tie tack, Versace shirt, and statement sunglasses.

“Virtus et Honos – Strength and Honor”

Visiting hours at NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston, on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 800 Pippin Orchard Road, Cranston. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Blood Cancer United, Donor Services, PO Box 98011, Washington, DC 20090-8011, or at GiveNow.BloodCancerUnited.org.