Ronald T Hearle

Ronald T. Hearle, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully in Chatham, MA surrounded by his family after a valiant battle against Lymphoma. As he was in life, he approached this final stand with dignity, grace, and a sense of humor which comforted his closest relatives and the masses of friends who visited with him throughout his final weeks.

Ron was born on City Island in Long Island Sound where his parents Douglas and Regina Booth Hearle raised their family sandwiched between the famed boatyards and his countless relatives on Centre Street. He met the love of his life Debbie Valentine during the summer of 1959 at the Morris Yacht Club and they married in 1966. Mr. Hearle attended St. Mary’s, Iona Prep and graduated from Columbus High School and Pace University. As a young man he chose an adventurous and rugged path, joining the United States Marine Corps where he served with distinction in the Pacific and as a member of the first advance team of Marines to land in Guantanamo Bay during the Soviet Cuban Missile Crisis. After honorable discharge, Ron became a third-generation member of the NYPD, a family tradition which continues today through its fifth generation in New York. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, he rose through the ranks to Detective Sergeant spending the majority of his time in the 46th Precinct or ‘The Alamo’ in the Bronx, noted by Time Magazine as the ‘The Most Dangerous Square Mile in America.’ He ultimately ran the famed Anticrime Undercover Unit and retired as a highly decorated and revered officer. His partners knew him as ‘Ronnie’ while criminals identified him as ‘Beardovich’ denoting his steel blue eyes, imposing 6’3” frame, and jet-black beard.

Importantly, he shielded his family from whatever happened at night in the Bronx, fully supporting his wife Debbie’s bourgeoning artistic career and his sons’ academic pursuits. They saw a humorous, caring, fun loving man who valued family time over all. In 1982, he left the life of intrigue behind and moved his family to Chatham, MA to open The Hearle Gallery on Main Street - now The Squire Shop. The couple ran the gallery successfully for 35 years representing the finest artists in New England. He became an ambassador of Main Street where clients relied on his no nonsense business approach, impeccable service, and of course a few jokes and a war story or two. Mr. Hearle was a true family man, never missing a family event with Debbie, digging clams and picking oysters in Stage Harbor with his grandchildren, enjoying ski trips or island hopping in the Caribbean and fishing off Chatham with his grandsons - always exhibiting his ability to in as few words and facial gestures as possible make the group erupt in rolling laughter.

Ron was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years Deborah Valentine Hearle, his parents and his brother Douglas Hearle of Pelham, NY. His legacy lives on through his sister Elaine of New Jersey, his two sons Todd Hearle of Chatham and Michael Hearle and his wife Mary Winn Hearle of Boston, his eight adoring grandchildren of whom he was so proud: Hammond, Alexa, Henry, John, Hudson, Shep, Reed and Dalton, numerous nieces and nephews, and his beloved Bichon, Sassy.

His family would like to thank Ron’s dedicated caregivers at Mass General Brigham, Cape Cod Hospital, The Lightkeepers, and Liberty Commons who did so much to ensure his comfort. Burial will be private and a formal service honoring him will be planned in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Hearle’s family ask that a donation in his name be considered to The Cape Cod Healthcare Foundation Lightkeepers or The Congregational Church of Chatham. May he rest in eternal peace with Debbie.