Saints John & Paul Church

With hearts full of sadness and hope in the Resurrection, we announce the passing of Rev. Dennis J. Kieton on Friday, November 15, 2024. 

A native of West Warwick, Rhode Island, Father Kieton faithfully served the Lord and His Church for nearly four decades. Born on November 29, 1946, he was the son of the late Emmanuel J. and Irene (Robitaille) Kieton. Father Kieton began his journey of faith and service in his home state. 

After graduating from high school, he entered the Brothers of Our Lady of Providence. When the order faced a time of crisis, Father discerned a different path, leaving the order to work in various roles, including nine joyful years at the Craft Workshop in Pawtucket. There, he honed his love for creativity, learning a variety of crafts (though he admitted to flunking knitting and crocheting). During this time, he earned his associate degree from CCRI and his bachelor’s degree from Providence College. In 1980, inspired by a renewed sense of vocation, Father Kieton entered Saint John Seminary near Boston. By the grace of God, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1985 by the late Bishop Louis E. Gelineau, alongside his classmate, Father Raymond Suriani. 

Father Kieton served with dedication in a variety of roles throughout the Diocese of Providence. His first assignment was at Saint John and Paul in Coventry. He later became a full-time chaplain at Rhode Island Hospital while residing at Saint Sebastian, where he also contributed to parish ministry. His pastoral journey took him to Saint Elizabeth in Bristol, Saint Mary in Newport, Sacred Heart in Woonsocket, and Our Lady of Fatima in Cumberland, where he served as pastor for 15 fruitful years, and served as chaplain to the Cumberland Police, Fire and EMS departments. He also ministered as pastor of Holy Ghost and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Providence before serving as chaplain at Saint Antoine in North Smithfield, and as Pastor of Mary Mother of Mankind in North Providence. In recent years, Father Kieton was honored to serve as Priest in Residence at Our Lady of Victories in Ashaway, and finally again at St. John & Paul Church in Coventry, where he looked forward to every opportunity to share in the faith and lives of his parishioners. Father Kieton will be remembered for his unwavering faith, compassionate heart, and joyful spirit. He was a shepherd who cherished his flock and took great pride in ministering to God’s people. 

He is survived by his sister Linda L. Wall and her husband Robert Wall Jr., of Exeter. His nephew Robert Wall III and his wife Crystal of Warwick, and their children, Matthew Wall, Jazzmin Avalos and her husband Jesse, Sara Wall, and Ensley Wall. His niece Melanie Kent of Exeter, and her son Jason Kent along with many cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to Fr. Kieton's Visiting Hours on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 4 PM to 7 PM, with a vigil service of “Office For The Dead” to follow at 7 PM in St. John & Paul Church, 341 South Main Street, Coventry, RI. A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 11am, in St. John & Paul Church, 341 South Main Street, Coventry. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fr. Kieton's memory to St. John & Paul Church, 341 South Main Street, Coventry, RI 02816 or Our Lady of Fatima Church, 1 Fatima Drive, Cumberland RI 02864.