In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 20, 2023, my best friend and husband of 50 years, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Hospice with family by his side.
Ronnie was born on Wednesday, March 1, 1944 to Anthony and Leda Zorzes, nee Piva, and grew up in Port Arthur attending St. Joseph's School, Port Arthur Collegiate, and graduating from Lakehead University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics.
Ronnie was always a hard worker and had many jobs starting at the early age of 14 working at various businesses, from driving truck, making asphalt, sign painting, landscaping and curb construction with his brother-in-law's company, P & G Construction and putting himself through university by driving cab nights and weekends.
When his father passed away he became the sole breadwinner for his Mom and brother and it was then that he began his career with London Life Insurance (now Canada Life) on December 15, 1969, retiring in 2013. While at London Life he studied for and received many designations but when he was President of the local chapter of Advocis (1982-1983) he received the Totem Pole Award from the National Office which he was so very proud to receive, but also proud of the membership who had worked so hard to make this happen. To this day, he is the only President to have had this honour.
While attending PACI he played on the Redmen Football Team and participated in many track and field events. He admired Johnny Unitas and always believed he was one of the greatest all time quarterbacks. Boxing was another of Ron's passions. When he was an altar boy at St. Anthony's Church, a priest took the time to show him the basics of boxing and he later went on to win a Golden Gloves Championship. Floyd Patterson was his idol and after speaking with Floyd on the phone he received an autographed picture of Floyd, capturing a moment when he was fighting Muhammed Ali. Ron was a talented cartoonist and over the years created many individualized cards for family and friends.
Cooking was another passion and many a party, whether here or at Wade, was made more memorable when he was in charge of the food. He was very proud when he won the Emeril Lagasse contest in 2002 and received a complete set of Emeril's cookware and distinctive aprons. He enjoyed music and would often spend hours picking on his accoustic or electric guitars and considered George Harrison to be one of the alltime best guitarists. When able to, he did enjoy a good round of golf in the summer and in the winter, cross-country skiing.
Ron had a special love for animals, especially dogs and in better times, would often be seen walking Honey and it was unusual for him not to have either Honey, or Chevy accompanying him in the car. In adulthood, he endured many physical ailments but always strived to carry on the best he could, and with his unforgettable sense of humour. Ron had strong beliefs and always felt that there was a Heaven and that one day he would be reunited with his parents, Robert and his pets.
Ron was a lifetime member of the Societa ltaliana Principe di Piemonte and served in many capacities over the years, including President in 1985, and most recently, Vice-President.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert who also died on April 20th (1989), in-laws, Andy and Evelyn Cooke, and brother-in-law, Nello Pradissitto. He is survived by his wife Dale, sister Rita Pradissitto, nephew Christian Pradissitto, wife Allison, their children Addison, Camren and Carsen, by brothers-in-law, Doug and wife Carolynn, Bruce and wife Faye, sister-in-law Susan and husband Brent Byers, niece Kelsey Goldsmith, husband Peter, their daughter Bryn and nephew Brendan Byers and partner Jessie. He is also survived by cousins here, California and Italy.
Cremation has taken place and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral, officiated by Monseigneur Pat Stilla on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 11 a.m., with a private interment at a later date. As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital Cardiac Campaign, the "St. Pat's Needs a Hat" Campaign, the Thunder Bay Humane Society, or a charity of your choice.
