Ronald Rudolph Parente's Obituary
Ronald R. Parente, was born on February 19, 1928. He was the first born of Rose, from Potenza, Italy and Frank Parente, Italian born in Argentina, from parents who were Italian food importers from Naples, Italy.
Ron graduated from Saunders Trade and Technical School in NY. He retired from a job in purchasing and maintenance at Akzo Chemical in Westchester, NY. Prior to that, he spent many years in the sign lettering industry.
Ron had been a very active volunteer in the Bradford Trolley Museum (now known as the Shore Line Trolley Museum) in Connecticut. He was the second oldest member there, and one of its original founders. His 1894 Trolley (number 316) from the American Car Co., was donated by him to their collection, a number of years ago. He also owned a 1927 Oldsmobile. Ron completely restored both historic vehicles. Often when metal, or wooden replacement parts were unavailable, he recreated them.
In our previous Parish Church, St. Joseph’s, in New Windsor, NY (in Orange County), he designed and made an Altar, a Tabernacle stand, lectern stands, podiums, plant stands, and just about every wooden item (except the chairs) and the main podium. Ron donated all of these, plus wooden paneling across the front of the Church. In our family, he designed and made many wooded pieces of furniture for his children, from China cabinets to coffee tables, etc. Even though he had excellent skills in working with metals, plastics, and wood, like St. Joseph, he enjoyed carpentry the most. Ron’s favorite pastime was listening to opera, especially Verdi. He also personally met Pavarotti at the met years ago. More than anything, Ron treasured time spent with those he held most dear. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Loved by many, he will be forever missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Ron is pre-deceased by his first wife, Mary Parente (maiden name Listwan), and his younger brother, Frank; He is survived by his three children from his first marriage: Richard, Therese, and Ronald Jr.; 3 grandchildren (Rich, Nicole, Dakota) and 1 great granddaughter (Lydia) through his first wife. His second wife, Gaeta (maiden name Calarco), who, like him, is a first generation American, with an Italian ancestry, also gave him three children: Denise, Victor, and Susan, 6 of his grandchildren (Caitlin, Kerry, Kelsey, Kristen, Amber, and Ashley), and his sisters: Mercedes Guenther, and Dolores Livoti. Ron and Gaeta would have had their 55th wedding anniversary this May.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Rt. 17, 35318 Church Road, Frankford, DE, where friends may visit beginning at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow on Monday, February 6, 2023, at 1:00 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Ave., Hawthorne, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shore Line Trolley Museum, in Connecticut, https://shorelinetrolley.app.neoncrm.com/forms/ronparente.
Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3:00 PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2023 TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.
NOTE ON CEMETERY ARRIVAL: Please arrive at the cemetery office by 12:45 PM and the funeral home and guests will be escorted to the gravesite. Gravesite location is Section 4, Plot 6314 Near Rt 100. For further directions please call the cemetery at 914-769-3672.
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