Stephen P. Rice, Jr., 69 passed away peacefully on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the UMass Memorial Healthcare – Memorial Campus, Worcester. Stephen was born in Worcester, the son of Stephen P. Rice, Sr. and Mary V. Rice and lived in Worcester and Shrewsbury before moving to Boylston over 20 years ago.

Stephen was a graduate of St. John’s High School and Quinsigamond Community College. He proudly served in the U.S. Army Reserves and he was a longtime employee of Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. of Holden. Above all he cherished his family and especially enjoyed his grandsons’ soccer games.

Stephen leaves his sons, Stephen P. Rice III and his wife, Bethany, of Shrewsbury, and Daniel C. Rice and his wife, Stephanie of Virginia Beach; his sisters, Patricia M. Zinkus and her husband, Peter of Worcester, Joanne T. Gvazdauskas of Harwich, Mary E. Noyes and her husband, Robert of West Boylston, and Christine L. Nolan of West Boylston; a brother, Christopher L. Rice and his wife, Joan of Holden; his beloved grandchildren Blake, Patrick, Tanner, Ethan and Owen; many nieces and nephews; and his former wife, Diann L. Lewandowski of Shrewsbury.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A funeral service will be celebrated at 12 noon on Wednesday, January 16th at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Stephen’s name to Veteran’s, Inc.