Daniel L. Beardsley, Jr.

Daniel L. Beardsley of Cranston died on November 2, 2023. He was the husband of Suzan (Rogers) Beardsley to whom he has been married for fifty three years.

Dan represented the interest of Rhode Island’s cities and towns for over forty two years, the Director of Rhode Island League Cities and Towns. He was a tireless and staunch advocate of the interest of local government and he delighted many of his fellow lobbyist for his ability to secure his many legislative successes over the course of his career. In addition to his advocacy, he created numerous member services programs to benefit Rhode Island’s cities and towns. One of which he was particularly most proud of was the Rhode Island Energy Aggregation Program or “REAP” an electricity purchasing collaborative which has saved cities and towns over $72 million dollars since it was created in 1999.

He was a highly decorated combat veteran of the Vietnam War where he served as point man and infantry platoon in 1968 in the first air cavalry division. For his actions and dozens of search and destroy missions he was awarded the Combat Infantry Man Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Air Medal for participating in over twenty five air combat assaults. The Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, the Vietnam  Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart with Star for Wounds received in battle.

He was appointed in 1985 to be the first local government representative to serve on the Rhode Island State Labor Relations Board and he also served on the Rhode Island State Retirement Board for the past twenty-seven years. He was an instructor at Bryant University where he taught public sector labor law and he was a past president and former coach of the Edgewood Girls Softball League. Dan was the co-founder and honorary president of the Foxhole Society, a former social gathering place in Providence where he and the other members would engage in late night discussions of political, social, and personal issues.

Besides his wife, he leaves his daughter Joyce Stenovitch and her husband Edward III, Robyn Sukkar and her husband Loubnen, and his grandchildren, Brittany and Edward Stenovitch IV, and Loubnen and Marcus Sukkar – all of whom he was deeply devoted to.

His funeral will be held on Thursday November 9, 2023, at 8:45 am from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory 1278 Park Ave. Cranston followed by inurnment with Military Honors in RI Veterans Cemetery, Exeter at 10:30 am.

Visiting hours are Wednesday November 8, 2023 from 4 pm to 7 pm.