Ronald H. Curtis

Canastota-Ronald H. Curtis Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 14, 2023, at Rome Memorial Hospital.

He was born in the Town of Sullivan, on April 22, 1940, the son of the late Byron and Agatha Mengel Curtis. Ron was raised in the Chittenango and Canastota area.  He had attended Canastota High School. At a young age, Ron was a talented mechanic.  He loved working on anything with a motor. He took that passion and made it a life career.  Ron had a 30+ year career with Cole Muffler.  During his time with Cole, he started as a mechanic, moving to Store Manager, then to General Manager, supervising several stores in Central New York, retiring as Regional Manager, supervising stores in New York and Pennsylvania.  For the last 10 years until most recently, Ron had been a Sales Associate for the Oneida Walmart Store.  He truly had a passion for the people he met at Walmart, not only for the customers, but the people that he worked with.  In 1960, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Chittenango, Ron was united in marriage to Gloria Barton.  Together they made their home in Canastota, and raised their cherished four children.  Ron worked hard for Cole, but in his free time he played even harder.  He made any moment spent with his family a memorable event. In earlier years he was into drag racing, he was a driver and builder of drag race cars.  In later years, Ron was an avid spectator at Esta Drag Racing Safety Park.  Also in his younger years, he was known to have “water raced” snowmobiles on Kasoag Lake.  Ron had deeply cared for his family, instilling in his children the love of family, honesty, a great work ethic and respect for others.  He touched many a heart, and leaves not only his family, but all he met along the “highway” of life.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Gloria, his daughter Cheryl Pilcher of Oneida, a son and daughter-in-law Ronald Jr. and Sandra Curtis of Verona, his daughter and son-in-law Tracey and Darrin Houseman of Clifton, NJ; and his son Richard Curtis of Canastota; his cherished grandchildren: Justin Pilcher, Jan Bann, Jenna Curtis, Erin Curtis, Seth Houseman and Carmella Curtis; and his surviving younger brother, Dean Curtis of Munnsville.  Ron is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, close friends, and his Walmart “family.”

Ron was predeceased by his two brothers Donald Curtis and Richard Curtis, and his sister Patricia Clarke.

In keeping with Ron’s wishes, there will be no public services.  Ron and his family are being provided personal and professional care by Jeffrey T. Paul, Director, of the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home.   To offer a condolence or share a memory, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com 

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