A jagged giant hole has been ripped in the Gates Chili community this week by the death of Ron LaRocca. Besides the shock of such a sudden and unexpected loss, I believe our stunned reactions include the knowledge that Ron was truly one of a kind and always there for us, something that I now sadly realize we took for granted.
I knew Ron as a parent volunteer: Mr. Sports Booster and the driving force behind revitalizing the Middle School PTO. But those roles don’t begin to describe what made Ron special to so many of us.
I believe that Ron was the kind of person who was easier to find in generations past in small towns across America...before the culture of self-important busyness became ingrained into our middle-class suburban identities. Generous is the first adjective that comes to my mind when I begin to describe Ron. He was never too busy to share himself with his community, even if it was just to give you a warm greeting or quick joke.
His sense of humor was another of his great assets. Ron was an ordinary normal guy with extraordinary leadership abilities. I think he was so successful in his endeavors at Gates Chili because he didn’t have to twist anyone’s arm to get them to come along and help...volunteering with Ron was like play, you knew you would have some laughs along the way.
Right now our duty as a community is to support and reach out to Ron’s family and close friends in all of the ways we can be there for them in their bereavement.
Over time, as our heads clear, I hope that our community can honor Ron’s legacy through our actions, remembering some of the crucial lessons he taught us:
1. Family is what it’s all about.
2. Show up when you say you’re going to show up.
3. Don’t just talk about it, get the job done.
4. Work hard, but don’t forget to laugh at yourself, too.
5. It’s not all about you, just get the job done. (see #3)
If we can live the rest of our time that is being given to us with half of the generous spirit and commitment that Ron showed us, wouldn’t that be truly a life to be proud of?
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Well said!! Ron was the first person I met when I came to Gates Chili H/S from a Catholic school. He took me under his wing and introduced me around. From that day forward we were great friends. When I moved back into the district 10 years ago, there was Ron again!
ReplyDeleteJust a great, great, man, friend, husband, father, volunteer! God is lucky to have such a Great Angel! He will be missed for years to come....someday my friend we will meet again!
amen, amen
ReplyDeleteIf i can be half of the person he was, I will
consider my endeavors on earth worthwhile.