Khamchanh Chantharangsy

Khamchanh Chantharangsy, 84 of Cranston passed away peacefully on Thursday February 27, 2025. Born in Xiangkhoung Province, Laos he was the youngest child of the late Chantha and Chanthy (Thoummavong) Mounphosay. He was the husband of the late Oudone (Sithane) Chantharangsy(2007) who was the love of his life that he married in August 1966.

He was a veteran in his home country of Laos, he received hisTeaching degree before joining the Royal Lao Army then PathetLao achieving the rank of Colonel. He also completed training with the International Police Academy, Washington D.C.(1970)After emigrated to the United States, he was a communication specialist with the Providence Police Department where his friends and coworkers gave him the nickname “KC” that stuck with him even after retirement in 2006.

He was the father of six, Vanmary Chantharangsy, S. Chantharangsy, Chanthanom Soupthanvong, Chanthavy Chantharangsy, Chandavone Chanthavong, and Vincent Chantharangsy. He was the grandfather of nine, and the great grandfather of two. He was predeceased by his siblings Khammay, Khampha, Khamsone, and Khempheng Chantharangsy.

Through his military service and frequent international travels,he was able to flee the tragedies of post-Vietnam War torn Laosand the takeover of the communist party with his wife and at the time five children arriving in Rhode Island in June of 1976.

After welcoming his sixth child later in December of that year and learning to make it through their first harsh New England winter he quickly began working hard to settle his family and buy a home being proud that his whole time in the States only needed public assistance once for heating oil that first winter.

Once settled Khamchanh and Oudone never forgetting the people still back in Laos and Thailand refugee camps, continued their mission started long before back in Laos to help family and friends in need. Being one of the first families to arrive in America the couple was able to sponsor and host scores of families to the U.S.

One of his greatest accomplishments was helping the community forge a path to become US Citizens and with the help of the International Institute of Rhode Island, Catholic Social Services and The Tolstoy Foundation, Governor J. Joseph Garrahy proclaimed September 29th, 1984 AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP DAY FOR INDOCHINESE REFUGEES. At the ceremony on this day hundreds of Laotians as well as Cambodian, Hmong and Vietnamese were welcomed as new citizens of America.

Among his many other accomplishments besides raising a large family, he was also the former President of the Laotian Association of RI and founding board member of the committee to open Wat Lao Buddhovath Buddhist Temple now in Smithfield, RI, Former member RI Historical Preservation &Heritage Commission Subcommittee, Former representative for Rhode Island State Police(Formally of the Teacher Training Center for Indochinese Paraprofessionals, Boston, MA) for International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims. This was very personal experience to him as he himself was a P.O.W. during the Vietnam War. While working for the International Institute he was often asked to speak and contribute first-handaccounts of the atrocities during and after war to many groupsnationwide that helped secure funding and grants to support aidto third world war torn countries all over the world.

After retirement he found peace and happiness spending all his days gardening only when he wasn’t spending time with all his grandchildren.

His Buddhist Prayer Service will be held beginning at 8:00 am on Sunday March 9, 2025, at the Nardolillo Funeral Home & Crematory, 1278 Park Ave., Cranston. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday March 8, 2025 from 4:00 -7:00 pm.