Plan for the Future
Ronald Joseph Vecchio of Morris Plains, NJ passed away peacefully on October 22nd, 2024. He was 85. Son of Joseph Sr. and Bridget Vecchio, Ron was born in Hoboken, NJ in November 1938. Ron was a 1956 graduate of Morristown High School, NJ, where he played basketball and baseball for his High School team. He was also an active participant in St. Margaret’s CYO Basketball in Denville, NJ.
After High School, Ron attended the Newark School of Drafting and Design, which launched his nearly six-decade professional career in the commercial manufacturing and technology sectors as a Mechanical Designer. In addition to working in industry, Ron also served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1958-1962.
Some of Ron’s greatest professional contributions as a designer, innovator, and patent holder occurred when he worked at Johanson Manufacturing in Rockaway Valley, NJ. Ron was an invaluable employee for this organization and played a significant role in the design of novel and extremely high-quality variable capacitors used for multiple critical technology applications, including aerospace, space exploration, and satellite communications.
Ron kept health and physical fitness at the forefront of his life. In his early years, he excelled at both bowling and golfing. In the 1970’s, he discovered Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s aerobic regimen and began running. Ron began each day on the mat, practicing Yoga and breathing exercises to support mind and body. He and his wife Joan remained very active, enjoying many years of running and hiking together, and they passed this lifestyle on to their children. Throughout the years, the family often gave thanks for Ron’s health and fitness enlightenment, crediting him for, “starting it all”. A forever gift to this day.
Ron was known to all as an extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and gentle man. Among many interests, he was an amateur photographer, a wine enthusiast, and a book collector. Ron loved his country and was also very proud of his Italian heritage. Later in life he enjoyed trips abroad with his family to Italy and Austria. In 2007, Ron and his wife Joan traveled to Ireland where they renewed their wedding vows amidst the picturesque landscape while seeking the ancient lore of Ireland’s holed stones. As tradition has it, couples place their thumbs through the hole of the stone from either side to touch, to honor their love and commitment to one another.
He loved classical music, taught himself how to play the piano, and had a gift for playing by ear. Beethoven and Chopin were among his favorite composers. Ron played often and his music would always grace the home during the holidays and family gatherings. Ron especially enjoyed sharing piano time with his granddaughter as she followed in his footsteps with the same musical genes and talents. He had a deep love for science, and his many heroes included Carl Sagan, Steven Hawking, and Richard Feynman. Ron had an encyclopedic knowledge of the planets, the Universe, physics, geography, and many other topics. Ron also remained in awe of nature, with many of his fondest memories being in the Idaho, New Hampshire, and Wyoming mountain ranges, hiking together with his family. One of Ron’s favorite personal achievements in the mountains was his successful climb to the summit of Middle Teton, elevation 12,809 feet.
Ron was a loving husband and father, and always put his family first. His love for his wife was as infinite as the stars. He taught his children the importance of family and to lead a life of integrity, humility, and to remain intellectually curious with a love for learning and for life. In his later years, when facing end-stage cancer and the inevitable end of his own life on Earth, he said he was not afraid, because he placed his trust in God. True to his love of science and learning about the Cosmos, he said he looked forward to being with God and being able to ask Him how He created the Universe and how it really works. Ron will be sorely missed, but we believe that he is with our Lord in Heaven now, at peace, and learning new and amazing things.
Ron predeceased his beloved wife of 62 years, Joan Vecchio, who passed away three days after him on October 25th, and by his older brother, Joseph, Jr. He is survived by his younger brother, Robert and his wife, Nancy.
Ron leaves behind his three children: Paul, Laura, and Andrea with her husband Bill; three grandchildren: Matthew, Jacob with his wife Jan, and Ella; his sister-in-law Marie; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made in Ron’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
