Ronald Charles Roll

His parents (in their late forties) apparently enjoyed quite a celebration to mark the end of World War 2. Ron arrived ten months later.

Ron was predeceased by his two brothers. (Frederick, who was 21 years older and Karl, 19 years older). They were important stabilizing influences in his life. As a teenager, he was a Sunday School teacher. Just a couple of months ago, he surprised Chaplain Stephan from Hope Hospice by reciting the books of the Bible!

He was born and raised in Elizabeth NJ. A 1964 graduate of Thomas Edison High School, Ron was part of a work study program as a printers’ assistant. That eventually launched his career in printing and ultimately advertising. Ron was the first in his family to graduate high school. His Dad died in his senior year and Ron forged an incredible bond with his Mother until the end of her life.

He was a born athlete. From baseball, tennis, football, hockey, bowling and golf, Ron was the ultimate “jock.” He was recruited by a “farm team” of the Pittsburgh Pirates but an injury in training camp ended his dream of being a catcher. He used his signing bonus to buy a red convertible!

He loved sports and made many friends through the years because of that addiction. He ended his golfing career with a single-digit handicap. We have quite a collection of crystal trophies that Ron and my late brother, Roy, won in tournaments in NJ and NC. A few years ago I apparently “desecrated” one by filling it with M&Ms. Ultimately, he laughed about it after I promised to never do it again.

His golfing buddies in the “Over the Hill Gang” at Woodlake Country Club nicknamed him “Imelda” (after the infamous First Lady of the Philippines who spent millions on shoes) because of his infinite collection of golf shoes.

We met at work nearly 48 years ago. He managed the printing company where I was a reporter for a chain of local newspapers in Nutley NJ. Our very first date was the start of our love… like being struck by lightning!

As his career progressed, his wardrobe did as well. Even on “Casual Fridays,” he always wore a suit and tie. His job ultimately involved entertaining clients at lunch and dinner. He was “mentored” by the former President of the NY Wine Club… he became a “wine snob” and I’ve done my best to finish off his collection because Ron stopped drinking many years ago.

Despite the “tough guy” exterior, he really was a big marshmallow. He loved Broadway shows and his favorite movie was “White Christmas.” He watched it countless times in the past few months. “Counting Your Blessings “ from Irving Berlin was a soothing song with lovely lyrics to frequently lull him to sleep.

We were married for 46 years. Not all perfect… but mostly perfect.

His first heart attack was at 40. He denied it for many years until my Mother convinced him there was a very good reason why they shared the same cardiologist! Ron had a wonderful relationship with my parents. He and my Dad were fishing buddies for years.

When my Mother needed time to recuperate from a serious health issue, Ron learned to cook by watching the “new” Food Network. His first dinner for my Mother was Chicken Franchaise. Pretty good way to start as a chef since he knew how much I hated to cook.

He battled numerous health challenges through the years but always bounced back — probably because a golf course was always calling to him. He survived cancer twice, strokes, spinal and cervical fusions and a multitude of scares. Many years ago, we convinced my nephew that his Uncle Ron was made of spare parts. Each scar represented where they gave Uncle Ron a brain, a heart, a foot… Jason wanted to take Uncle Ron to school for “show and tell.”

His first signs of depression started on 9/11 when he was on his way to work. He pulled to the shoulder and watched the Towers burning. That seared a spot in his heart that he had trouble letting go for the rest of his life.

Ron’s memorial would not be complete with mentioning his love affair with boats. Ron chose a unique way to propose… He pulled up in front of my parents home in Nutley with a new boat in tow. He called them to see it… and to acknowledge that he had named the boat “Jane M” in beautiful lettering. It’s bad luck to change the name of a boat so he was really taking a chance!

Fortunately, we both loved to fish and from freshwater fishing in Maine for many years to deep sea fishing 30+ miles off shore in NJ to learning how shallow the Gulf of Mexico is, we loved every moment together on our boats.

Through the years, boats got bigger (Jane M ll) and then we switched to sailboats for a while. He surprised me on my 40th with a surprise party and my very own sailboat (with lessons). I named it “The Summer Wind” and he became a far better sailer than I ever was.

Ultimately, the naming sequence changed. Our final boat was the “Sea Witch.” Even though he hadn’t been able to take the boat out for a while, we were sad to let it go. It had gotten pretty banged up by Hurricane Ian so it was the right time for a new owner.

Ron loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruising. Making the crossing to Europe several times was his idea of heaven with many days at sea. Our 30th cruise together was last April

Ron was the ultimate Mets fan. They broke his heart so many times but each year as Spring Training rolled around, he was so hopeful for a new season. When we moved to Florida in 2008, we had to purchase a special “Sports Package” so he wouldn’t miss a single Mets and Rangers game. We paid nearly $450 monthly for years (before streaming) so he could be glued to his beloved Mets! Money well spent…

For over two decades, we were Jets season ticket holders, both at Shea Stadium and then in the Meadowlands (Ron absolutely refused to call it Giants Stadium!). We have so many Jets-branded items… mugs, hats, a blanket. Then, a couple of years ago, Ron became a Buffalo Bills fan and dropped the Jets. Go figure.

Through the years, we have shared so many pets. Our rescues made our lives sweeter and entertaining. When Ron was able to work from home in NJ, our Cocker Spaniel, Buttercup, slept under his desk. They were inseparable for nearly 18 years. Ron didn’t want another dog, but when Kingsten came into our lives, they stuck together like Velcro! At Hope Hospice Center, Kingsten was there to help calm and reassure Ron.

Ron was blessed with so many loving friends and family. He was so proud of Julia Roll-Mook (our “former” daughter in law who he considered his daughter). He was beyond thrilled to watch the Zoom ceremony when our granddaughter, Brianna, “pinned” her Mom as an RN in Arizona.

Ron also was thrilled to watch the careers of our two grandsons, Justin and Brendan, and was grateful that they are kind, strong, loving men because of the wonderful single Mom who raised them. Long distance relationships are a challenge but he was also able to spend time with his great grandson, Justin Jr, as well as our newest family member, Sammi (chef extraordinaire) who is Justin’s wife.

My best friend, Kathy Vandenberg, held a special place in Ron’s heart through the years. He referred to her as his “other wife.” Roger DeLuca was Ron’s bestie… hanging out, drinking WaWa coffee, talking sports and politics, I guess.

Who has known Ron the longest? His wonderful nieces, Karyl and Dawn, in NJ. He was so proud to be their fun, crazy handsome Uncle Ronnie.

This very long tribute to Ron is bittersweet. Thanks to everyone who stuck it out. This is what happens when you give a task to a writer!

Our entire community has been incredibly supportive during the challenging period of Ron’s health issues. Sincere thanks to the Cape Coral Fire Department for patiently responding to numerous 911 calls; to the Dubin Center in Fort Myers which helped educate and guide me through the progressive decline of Ron’s dementia; to Dr. Michael Laufer and Nurse Teresa of Millennium Physicians Group who have been the lynchpin of Ron’s healthcare team since we moved to Cape Coral in 2008, to the amazing team at Hope Hospice which seamlessly and compassionately cared for Ron at the end of his journey and finally to Donna and Peter of the Neptune Society who handled his final arrangements. My heart is overflowing with love and gratitude to everyone who reached out across the years and the miles with messages of love, encouragement and support.

Ron’s Celebration of life will be at Hope Hospice Center on Diplomat at noon on Wednesday, February 26th, followed by a repast at my house.