Ronald K. "Ron" Maiuri

Ronald Kenneth “Ronnie” Maiuri, 80, of Chicopee passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 29, 2024. He was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the only child of Tony and Rita Maiuri. His childhood was one of extended-family gatherings, all-day Italian dinners where homemade pasta dried on a clothesline and relatives sang and danced in the living room. Ron helped run the family business, East Springfield Mill & Lumber, and built houses with his father that still stand today. He graduated from Commerce High, served six years in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, ran for a seat on the Springfield City Council, was a member of the Elks Lodge, worked for 20 years as an Auxiliary Police Officer in Springfield, 10 years as s firefighter in Wilbraham, and 40 years as an Emergency Medical Technician. After “retiring”, he worked as an EMT examiner for the state of Massachusetts, taught classes in CPR and other topics, managed Arabian Horse Shows at the Eastern States Exposition, and volunteered as a cook at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen in Chicopee. He was a do-it-yourself pro, always ready to help with his tools, truck and trailer, using his lumber and construction knowledge to build gifts for his children and grandchildren and improve their homes. He loved to go for weekend drives, carted the family all over the eastern half of the country for interstate vacations, and loved a big bowl of fresh homemade popcorn “with plenty of butter”. Ron had a mischievous prankster side, and it brought him joy to surprise family members with unpredictable gifts. He had a tradition of filming part of every Christmas, making a loving document of the growing family. In his later years, the effects of aging battled his playful side-“it’s tough to get old,” he often told his kids. But however much his body faltered, his love and dedication to his family never weakened. Ron was predeceased by his parents Tony and Rita. He is survived by his wife Linda; his children Kenneth, Gayle and her husband Michael and Glenn; and his granddaughters Nevaeh, Zoe and Isabella. Ron’s family thanks Baystate Hospice for their compassionate care. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday 5-7pm at TOOMEY-O’BRIEN FUNERAL HOME in West Springfield, where a funeral service will be on Thursday at 10am, followed by burial at St. Thomas cemetery. In lieu of flowers consider a memorial donation to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, or shrinerschildrens.org/en/locations/new-england.