Arun "Ron" Sanyal

Arunava “Ron” Sanyal, age 71, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021. He was born in Jalpaiguri, India on June 20, 1947 to Dr. Promode and Purnima Sanyal. He studied pharmacy and received his BS and MS from Jadipur University in Kolkata, India. He immigrated to the United States in 1976 and lived lived in Ohio for a year before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1977. He worked in the biomedical field where he began in quality assurance and progressed to regulatory affairs.

Ron enjoyed community outreach. He believed in education for underprivileged children and used soccer as a medium to promote this ideal. He held an annual soccer tournament for the Hispanic youth community called “The Friendship Cup”. Ron enjoyed coaching soccer in his kid’s younger years, even wining 2 state championships with his older son’s team. He also believed in “unity in diversity” and held “International Nights” which showcased the diverse cultures from the people that make up Raleigh.

Ron was also involved in the North Carolina Democratic party. He was known there as “Uncle Ron.” He truly believed in helping the community. He was a state executive committee member. He was a delegate for the 2016 election and also ran for congress twice.

During his retirement, Ron developed a green thumb. He enjoyed gardening around the house, he grew peaches, apples, grapes, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and eggplants. He also had 3 chickens that he cared for, who enjoyed eating the fruits and vegetables he grew.

After his intial diagnosis of lung cancer in 2016, Ron became involved in the Lung Cancer Inititative with Duke Hospital. He was able to share his story of overcoming lung cancer with others who were just begining the process. He believed that positivity was the first step in overcoming cancer.

Ron is survived by his wife Kaya Sanyal, of 36 years, and his two son, Dev Sanyal and Neil Sanyal.

A private funeral service will be conducted Sunday, April 11th at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh. The service will be live-streamed beginning at 10:50 am through Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory's Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Ron's memory to the Duke Thoracic & Lung Cancers Fund; www.dukecancerinstitute.org

Services provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.