Obituary of Edward Francis Ronan

Edward Francis Ronan, Sr., 87, of Southbury passed away peacefully on March 7, 2016 at Regional Hospice in Danbury, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 22, 1928 in Yonkers, NY, a son of the late Irene G. (Fitzgerald) and Stephen E. Ronan, he was the devoted husband of his wife of 65 years, Ellen Doris “Honey” (Flood) Ronan, who survives him. He is also survived by five sons: Edward F. Jr, (Mary) of Brookfield, Ronald J. of South Egremont, MA, Michael P. (Kathy) of Newtown, Kevin T. (Susan) of Brookfield and Robert S. (Susan) of Danbury. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Ann (Robert) Holodak of Suffern, NY and his brother Gerald (Carol) Ronan of Roxbury, CT. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, Yonkers, NY and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17, serving from 1946 to 1948. He attended Iona College in New Rochelle, graduating in 1952. He started his career as a CPA for the accounting firm Peat, Marwick and Mitchell in New York, NY then worked for the New York metal trading company, Philipp Brothers, rising to the position of Treasurer. In 1965 he joined Perkin-Elmer Corporation of Norwalk as Controller, settling his family in Ridgefield and Apple Hill Farm in Ridgebury. He went on to hold key executive positions on his way to being named Senior Vice President of Perkin-Elmer’s Optical Group, which included the Electro Optical Division, the Optical Technology Division and the Space Science Division. He always spoke fondly of his gifted friends and colleagues and their commitment, expertise and camaraderie in their work together producing world-class high-technology products including Micralign and the renowned Hubble Space Telescope’s Optical Telescope Assembly, among many others. After retiring from Perkin-Elmer in 1983, he founded Visionetics Corporation in Brookfield. He was sought out often for his business wisdom and acumen, before completely retiring to spend more time with his lifelong sweetheart, “Honey,” sharing their passion for family, friends and golf in Connecticut and South Carolina. He was a musician, an entrepreneur and a proud Irish-American patriot. Above all, he was a family man. He became an avid New York Mets fan after having his heart broken by the Brooklyn Dodgers move to Los Angeles in 1957. In his heart and soul he was a true entertainer, who could light up a room upon entry. He was kind and generous and he was a source of love and joy playing Santa Claus for his grandchildren at Christmas and meticulously building doll houses for the girls and train villages for the boys. He is survived by thirteen grandchildren: Stephen Ronan (Darcy), Margaret Mary “Maggie” Gavin (Sean), J. Wyatt Ronan, Cooper Ronan, Kristin Ronan, Matthew Ronan, Timothy Ronan, Holly Ronan and her fiancé Morgan Evans, Cassi Ronan, Samuel Ronan, Benjamin Ronan, Douglas Ronan and Daniel Ronan; and two great grandchildren: Eddie Ronan and Charlie Ronan and dozens of beloved nieces and nephews and their extended families. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 11, 2016 from 5pm to 8pm at the Brookfield Funeral Home, 786 Federal Road. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Brookfield, at 10am on Saturday, March 12, 2016. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Regional Hospice and Home Care Center for Comfort Care and Healing, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810 (www.regionalhospicect.org)