-- Washington Irving
I think that everyone that knew Ronnie would say the above quote, amongst many, would describe him so very well.
It was around 0:30 Tuesday morning while I was in bed watching a Turkish TV station on my iPad when this appeared on the screen;
Immediately my laughter from watching the program suddenly turned to sadness and disbelief, disbelief that one the most kind and gentle persons that I have known had passed away; the man that I had known for 25+ years who was a husband to one, a father to a few, and a friend to many was no more...something that will take quite some time to grasp and realize...
To describe Ronnie to one that had never met him can go in either of two directions; the quick and easy way- kind, gentle, compassionate, one with a heart of gold; the other being the size of a set of encyclopedias, so I will try to go the middle ground.
During the 25+ years that I had known Ronnie, I never knew him being down, he was always upbeat, in positive spirits, friendly and comedic as only "Mr. Ronnie" could be. One of his greatest traits was kindness and this reflected in his participation in benefits for many people over the years...
Ronnie had three roles in life; Ronnie the father, Ronnie the husband and Ronnie the friend, and he perfected these three roles beyond all else, but, unlike an actor, there was no acting involved in the roles for his actions came from the heart and soul and everyone around him could feel this so very much. To say that he was a genuine kindred spirit would be an understatement.
Ronnie the father -
Just love being a father is one thing, but love being a loving father is another...
Ronnie truly loved being a father and this shows in the love and affection that his children had for him. He was always there for them when they needed him, no matter what the situation was, he gave support and love and helped guide them down the path to where they are today.
As for Ronnie the father, one could say this;
As children, he let them play,
As teenagers, he let them grow,
As adults, he let them be,
While giving them love, support and guidance as only a loving father would...
Ronnie the husband -
To be a husband, one must submit himself with all his heart...
Ronnie loved Paula, and Paula loved Ronnie, nothing less, nothing more...but then again what more can a couple give to each other than love?
There is something that stood out so very much that was so enjoyable to see was the fun they had together every time I saw them, even though they were adults, they acted like a young couple in love and having fun. Sure they had their ups and downs as every married couple has, and if you ever hear of a couple saying "our marriage has been perfect, no downs at all", then what you are hearing is one of the biggest lies ever told. I would like to think that a problem between a married couple is a test and if this is true then Ronnie and Paula's marriage passed with flying colors.
Ronnie the friend -
There is something that stood out so very much that was so enjoyable to see was the fun they had together every time I saw them, even though they were adults, they acted like a young couple in love and having fun. Sure they had their ups and downs as every married couple has, and if you ever hear of a couple saying "our marriage has been perfect, no downs at all", then what you are hearing is one of the biggest lies ever told. I would like to think that a problem between a married couple is a test and if this is true then Ronnie and Paula's marriage passed with flying colors.
Ronnie the friend -
Friends may go hand in hand but he went heart to heart
Ronnie was everyone's friend; no matter if you were rich or poor, a street sweeper or a doctor, young or old, he was a friend to all and always there for them. Something that made Ronnie so special was his everlasting kindness towards his friends, helping them when in need, without asking for anything in return and as I said before, this was shown in the many benefits that he participated in over the years. He did them with no fanfare, no showmanship, just helping others in need as only Ronnie would, being a true friend...
I will always remember Ronnie for being all the above and more, I will always remember him as one of the Blue Brothers, I will always remember him being the King but what is most important, I will always remember Ronnie being Ronnie...
Ronnie, if you are listening, this is for you;
For your children, thank you for being a father,
For your wife, thank you for being a husband,
For your friends, thank you for being a friend...
For your wife, thank you for being a husband,
For your friends, thank you for being a friend...
...Long live the king!...for he has left the building...
Rest in peace Ronnie...
-Rob Myers
March 22, 2012
1:27am
I think a great number of people will remember Ronnie like this from his infamous James Food Center commercials and if you want to watch a clip, I found this link;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWoCoQwkLNE
