University of Rhode Island mourns Keith Labelle, respected educator, mentor, and advocate, remembered for leadership, compassion, and service.
Keith Ronald Labelle, age 47, passed away on May 30, 2026, in Narragansett, Rhode Island, leaving behind a legacy of service, leadership, and compassion that touched countless lives across the academic community.
Born on October 21, 1978, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, he was the son of Ronald H. and Donna L. (Piva) Labelle of Dartmouth. From an early age, Keith demonstrated both athletic talent and a strong sense of responsibility.
At Dartmouth High School, he excelled in baseball and hockey, earning recognition as a standout athlete. His skills on the field led him to a scholarship at the University of Rhode Island, where he played Division I baseball and served as team captain during his senior season.
His time as a student-athlete shaped his leadership style and commitment to teamwork, qualities that would define his professional career and personal life.
After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communication at URI, Keith began his career at the university’s Women’s Center in the Division of Student Life.
He quickly distinguished himself as a dedicated advocate for student well-being and equity, rising to the role of Deputy Title IX Coordinator. In this position, he oversaw education, outreach, and training programs designed to foster safe and respectful campus environments.
He was instrumental in developing initiatives focused on violence prevention, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention.
Colleagues and students admired his ability to build trust, his approachable nature, and his belief in collaboration between men and women to model respect and care.
His work left a lasting impact on the university, ensuring that future generations of students would benefit from the programs he helped establish. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Keith was a devoted family man.
He married Karen (Fahy) Labelle in 2013 after nearly two decades together, and together they raised their daughter, Maeve Quinn Labelle, whom Keith considered his greatest achievement. His family remembers him as a loving husband, father, son, and brother whose warmth and humor brightened every gathering.
He is also survived by his siblings, Jenny Labelle of Boston and Katelyn Houbre of Fort Myers, Florida, along with her husband Matt and their children Corbin and Atticus.
His extended family includes in-laws Desmond and Marian Fahy, brother-in-law Keith Fahy, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. The impact of Keith’s passing has been felt deeply across the University of Rhode Island.
Faculty, staff, and students have shared tributes recalling his mentorship, his dedication to fairness, and his ability to make others feel valued. His colleagues describe him as a man of integrity who combined professionalism with genuine care for the people around him.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Waring-Sullivan Dartmouth Funeral & Cremation Service in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, where services brought together family, friends, colleagues, and students to honor his life and legacy.
The gatherings reflected the breadth of his influence, from his hometown roots to his professional contributions at URI. Keith Labelle’s legacy is defined by service, leadership, and compassion.
His sudden passing is a profound loss, but the programs he helped build and the lives he touched ensure that his impact will endure. He will be remembered not only for his professional achievements but also for his devotion to family and his ability to inspire those around him.
The academic community, his family, and his friends will continue to carry forward his mission of respect, inclusion, and care, ensuring that his memory lives on in the values he championed and the lives he shaped.
