Ronald Owens Sr.

Ronald Owens, Sr., a resident of Spring Valley, passed away on June 18, 2023 at 73 years old. Ronald was born 7/27/49 in Harlem, NY to Alphonso and Catherine Owens. He was the middle child of three. His older sister is named Patricia and his younger brother was named Larry. He grew up in the Abraham Lincoln Projects in a beautiful loving household, where he went on to make friends that lasted a lifetime and eventually became family. He was a member of the Greater Central Baptist Church growing up. He married his childhood sweetheart Carol Crawley on June 6, 1970. They have two children, Ronald Owens, Jr and Michael. Together they lived in the Bronx, until moving to Rockland County in 1992, where he’s lived for the last 31 years. Carol and Ronald just celebrated their 53rd Wedding Anniversary.

Ronald attended Columbia University and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. After a couple of years in a private pharmacy, he spent 33 years at Jacobi Medical Center as senior Pharmacist. During that time he started a chess club, basketball league and bowling league. After retiring, he could not sit still and spent another decade as Senior Pharmacist working throughout NYC at Pharmacies such Heidi Pharmacy, Twin Pharmacy, Castletop and many others.

Ronald was one of the 4 founders and President of JAMAA Bowling League, which was an organization based on friends and family connecting through parties, trips, picnics and bowling that lasted over 30 years. He was affectionately known as “The Big O”. Every bowling season famously culminated in an awards dinner and a choreographed dance routine, which he loved performing. This organization brought good times to many people and families which grew up together throughout the NY area.

Ronald was also known for exploring many businesses and would take on new challenges after his day job. This began with his love for photography, which he groomed into a professional photography business, primarily photographing weddings, portraits and baby pictures for over 30 years.

His love for entrepreneurship led him to many other businesses (side hustles) such as ACN phone service, Photo to Art, Nikken magnets and Organo Gold Coffee. His passion and determination overshadowed his desire for the money, as he truly enjoyed engaging with people and trying to help them in any way whether it was to save money, relieve pain or just bring them joy.

Ronald was always known for his bright smile and loving hugs. He was extremely social and outgoing. Always loved a huge party, especially a good BBQ. He was a lover of music and especially loved The Temptations and anything of the Motown era. You would think he was the chairman of the Temptations Fan Club. He had a love for his family like no other. Anyone who walked through the doors of his home was welcomed and embraced. He treated everyone as family. He was generous in everything he did for people whether with their healthcare, connecting people, finding people jobs and opportunities, or feeding them at one of his BBQs, Dinner Dances, Parties, Bus trips, boat rides, cruises or anything he could do to gather large amounts of people for a good time.

He was a loving and attentive son, brother, husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He had a tremendous appreciation for all of his family. They were truly his pride and joy, and he never hesitated to tell them that. It was so important to him to have a close and tight knit family. He never wanted to go long without seeing anyone. People he worked with remained friends with him for years. He was a wonderful caretaker and provider for his family. Always the protector, respectful, honorable, a gentleman in every way that mattered.

Ronald was predeceased by his mother Catherine, father Alphonso, and brother Larry.

Survived by his loving wife Carol, son Ronald Jr, his wife Takeya, son Michael, his wife Elaine, Grandchildren Olivia, Alicia, Gavin, Briana, Jasmine, Devin, Kamryn & Ava. Sister Patricia, her husband John, nephew Lawrence, wife Jaylene. Cousins Debbie, Leslie and Lisa Dungee, Zelma Atkins, Jerry Owens and wife Janice. Best friend and Beyond Brother, forever, Alan Williams and Etta. Beyond Brother Melvin and wife Doris Parker and the entire Parker Family. Extended family and Special Parents Eloise, Warren and the entire Flowers family. Plus a host of other close friends and family.

There are no words to describe how much he will be missed.

A visitation for Ronald will be held Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901. A livestream will occur Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. A a celebration of life service will occur Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 12:30 PM, 177 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901. A burial following funeral service will occur Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Brick Church Cemetery, 221 Brick Church Rd., New Hempstead, NY 10977.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wanamakercarlough.com for the Owens family.