Forever a collector, Ron was proud to display his memories, accomplishments and achievements, particularly in his long career as a grocery store manager and a parent, boats and books, Beanie Babies and Buffalo Bill paraphernalia, and photos of his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also kept a photo of his military portrait in his wallet to whip out when having to prove what a good looking young buck he once was–proud of his service, and those he served beside.
He was a man who loved things in their place, Pepsi Cola, mushy-gushy holiday cards, extravagant Christmases with cinnamon rolls, loud, pastel polos, and singing made-up tunes about the ordinary movements of a day–he had a booming voice, best heard through the song, “You Are My Sunshine,” which he would break out any old time.
On behalf of those he loved, he never hesitated to give generously, jump when called, and participate when needed, whether that was swimming laps in a parent’s relay at the neighborhood pool, fixing his son’s car, sneaking his cats a cold slice of American cheese, donating to St. Jude’s, or talking to his sister and daughter on the phone for hours (even though he hated the phone), giving his astute advice. He was charitable at heart, hilariously-inappropriate at the head of a dinner table, and a man who made a room more boisterous just by being in it. He will always have his spot on the couch.
In his final days, Ron made a point to tell every nurse, “If you were in my body, you’d be so amazed at the life you’ve lead” and it’s true, from growing chickens as a boy in Detroit to lounging poolside in Morocco, from Boy of the Year in high school (earned alongside his younger sister Connie) to attending father-daughter dances in church gymnasiums, from his honeymoon in Italy and breakfasts after mass at Bob Evans, from the cold bleachers of the Buffalo Bills fourth super bowl loss to watching Sesame Street on the couch cuddling his grandson, Ron Mannes lead a big life and lives big time in our hearts.
It is difficult to describe a man who lived so vibrantly in only a few paragraphs, but it is his fortitude, his dreaming alongside, his ever-expanding curiosity for a wealth of knowledge, his sacrifices, his pursuits of success for himself and those he loved, and without a doubt, his belly-shaking laughter that will carry us through the loss of him. He was our loveable curmudgeon–a honey, a daddy, a faj, a brother, an uncle, a grandpa, a grumps, and so much more than words can convey. He promised to be protecting and guiding from heaven, and we will see him again, surely with a handful of jellybeans and a conspiratorial wink.
A Memorial Mass for Ronald will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of St. Francis of Assisi Church, 11401 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613.
In lieu of flowers, Ron’s favorite charity is St. Jude's Children Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate), and we would love for those that cared for him to make a contribution in his name.
Services by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.
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