Ronald James Ayotte

Chicago, Illinois, he attended the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, where he

graduated in June 1955 and was commissioned in the US Army. The same afternoon, he

married his wife Carol, who was by his side for 66 years.

His Army career sπpanned 30 years, starting with a deployment to Korea, and including a tour

in Viet Nam as an advisor to the Vietnamese Army, and a tour as an advisor to the Ethiopian

Army. On active duty during the Cold War years, he was a Soviet Russian Foreign Area

Specialist that led to assignments at the US Liaison Mission in Berlin, as the US Army Attachè in

Moscow, and the Defense Attachè in Warsaw. Other assignments included the US National

Airborne Command Post, where he followed President Nixon’s trip to China, and senior staff

positions on both the Army Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff, culminating as the Executive Officer

of the J5, Plans & Policies Directorate. Upon retirement, he worked for another 10 years in the

Intelligence Community.

Among his many awards were the Combat Infantry Badge, Defense Superior Service Medal with

Palm, Legion of Merit, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. He was

also awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the Viet Nam Service Medal

with four stars.

Throughout his career, while he was often unable to discuss in details of what he was doing, it

is not hyperbole to say that he had a significant role in winning the Cold War and that he

provided great service to this nation, which he loved and served willingly.

In retirement, he enjoyed birding and was the treasurer of the Cape Cod Birding Club. He also

participated in the Sandwich Citizens Police Auxilliary and was a former Mason. He was the

beloved husband for 66 years of Carol (Petefish) Ayotte and the loving father of Brett D. Ayotte

(and Karen) of East Sandwich and Ross P. Ayotte of Queen Creek, AZ. Brother of the late

Geraldine Hofflander. Grandfather of Timothy (and Katie), Suzanne, Emily (and Madison),

Catherine and Elizabeth Ayotte. Great-grandfather of Kemper James Ayotte. He was also a

Grandpa to the extended O’Donnell Clan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Corpus Christi Church, 326 Quaker Meeting House Rd., East Sandwich on Wednesday May 26, 2021 at 11:30am. Burial with full military honors will be held at Massachusetts National Cemetery following the Mass. Donations in memory of Ron may be made to a charity of one’s choice. One of his favorites was the Carmelite Nuns at the Monastery of the Infant of Prague in Traverse City,Michigan (www.carmeloftraversecity.org ). For on-line condolences, please visit

www.dignitymemorial.com (Ronald J. Ayotte)