Ronald R. Cairo

Born in Queens, New York, Ron graduated with honors from The City College of New York with a degree in Civil Engineering, followed by a Masters Degree from Columbia University in Engineering Mechanics and Flight Structures, where he graduated as a Guggenheim Fellow. He embarked on a fifty year career as an Professional Engineer, where he worked for Grumman, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed, and General Electric, working on such diverse projects as the F-14 Tomcat tailhook, the space shuttle tiles, the Titan II missile, and wind turbines. In the course of his career, he became a world-renowned expert on composite materials and turbines. Ron authored numerous Gas Turbine Journal Papers and presented at national and international symposia. He was especially proud and derived great satisfaction from his over 50 patents that advanced US scientific and military prowess through their innovation. A proud American, he drew satisfaction that his work left the country a better place than he found it.

Ron was happily married to Janet Ellen (Larson) Cairo. He doted on Janet, with whom he shared a love affair for 54 years. They shared many adventures, which led them to live in every corner of the country, and in countless homes. Anyone who knows them knew to write down their address in pencil! Throughout their marriage, Ron and Janet complemented each other perfectly; their marriage was an example to all. Along the way came children – Bill, an Army Veteran and Financial Advisor; Lisa, a doctor of pharmacology; and Dana, a medical doctor specializing in pathology. Ron was proud of his family, is survived by Janet, Bill, Lisa, Dana, and their respective spouses / significant others Shelley, Bruce, and Al, fifteen grandchildren (Madison, Meredith, Kaity, Nicole, Corey, Connor, Kyle, Rylee, Taylor, Alex, Sadie, Aiden, Bryce, Joey, and Tiffanie), two great-grandchildren (Ezra and Levi), and his faithful, ever-present companion, German Shepherd Maggie Mae.

We’d be remiss not to mention his loved family members who preceded him – his father Louis, his mother Josephine, and his older brothers Louie and Ray, and his older sister Gloria. He was a proud Cairo, loved his Italian heritage, and happily rejoins his family in Heaven.

Ron’s wisdom, intelligence, and sardonic sense of humor have guided the Cairo Family for over 50 years. He cannot be replaced, or forgotten. We’ll miss his guidance, his advice, his love, and his support. He leaves a hole in our heart that cannot be filled. Not only, as evidenced by his engineering career, did he build strong structures, but he built a strong family who are striving to add to his achievements.

We love you forever and a day.

Funeral Visitation will take place at Forest Lawn Memorial at 5740 S Pine Ave, Ocala, FL 34480 on March 18th, 2025 from 5 – 7 pm.

Funeral Mass will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church at 6455 SW State Rd 200, Ocala, FL 34476 on March 19, 2025 at noon.

Final internment will take place at Palms Memorial Park at 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232 on March 20th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, Ron would have appreciated that you consider donations to one of his preferred charities: Disabled Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, or Catholic Charities USA.