Smith, Ronald P. Sr.
Smith, Ronald P. Sr. (Ronnie) age 95 of Newton, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family Sunday morning February 10, 2019, at Bristol Glen, Newton, NJ. Born and raised in Scranton, PA. Ronnie had lived in Rockaway Borough and Hackettstown for many years before moving to Newton in 2009.
Son of the late Louis C. and Cora (nee Motzenbocher) Ronnie proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. A decorated 1st Lieutenant, Ronnie served as a Bombardier and Navigator who successfully completed fifty combat missions over the European Theater. Ronnie earned the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters and three bronze service stars. Ronnie attended Keystone College and had a long and satisfying career as a Railroad Conductor with the Erie & Lackawanna, Conrail and NJ Transit Rail system until his retirement.
Ronnie was a thirty-second degree Master Mason and member of the F&AM Masonic Lodge #42 Musconetcong, NJ. He was a long-time member of the Shriners of Livingston. In addition, Ronnie was a devout member of the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway as well as a former member of the United Methodist Church of Stanhope.
Ronnie was a dedicated father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. He spent many summers vacationing with his family in Cape May. Ronnie also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States as well as taking several trips throughout Europe. A pure and simple man, he enjoyed his sweets and his favorite meal of the day, breakfast. Everyone who came into contact with him became instantly fascinated listening to his stories about his times flying B-24s and his years working on the railroad.
Ronnie was predeceased in life by his first wife Elizabeth L. (nee Davis) in 1990, his second wife Carolina A. (nee Taubert) Smith in 2016, his son Ronald P. Jr. in 1999, his brother Louis C. Smith in 2013 and his sister Lois A. Kinsley in 1989. Survivors include his son Jeffrey D. and his wife Alice Smith of Pleasant Hill, CA, his daughter Carol M. Siro of Sparta, his brother William J. Smith of Allentown, PA, his sister Constance Lockett of Camp Hill, PA, his grandchildren Kimberlee Darrow, Melanie Wilusz, David Smith, Matthew Siro, Christel Siro-Denick, and Laura McKenna as well as his nine great grandchildren.
The family is most grateful to the staff of Bristol Glen and of Compassionate Care Hospice for the loving care they gave to Ronnie.
A Memorial Service, Masonic Service, and Military Honors will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 10 A.M. in the Bristol Glen Chapel, 200 Bristol Dr., Newton, NJ. The family will receive visitors between nine and ten that morning at Bristol Glen. The interment services in Scranton, PA will be private and held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either the Shriners www.salaamshrine.org or Compassionate Care Hospice www.cchnet.net.
