Ronald Anthony Kolonich

Deacon Ronald Anthony Kolonich, 75, of Summerville, South Carolina, went to his eternal reward with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. 

Born on August 25, 1949 in Hooversville, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Julia and Frank Kolonich. 

Ron was a boy scout and always said every boy should experience scouting because it builds moral values and character.

He was a member of Holy Family Church in Hooversville for 59 years. He served as an altar server for 10 years, usher, parish council, and maintained the heating and a/c systems. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Ron graduated from Forbes High School, class of 1967. Then, he graduated from Computer Systems Institute in 1968.

Ron served in Army National Guard from 1968 to 1974 as Staff Sergeant and tank commander. He worked in the HVAC trade for 50 years and owned Ace Air Conditioning Experts for 34 years. He enjoyed helping others and always tried to treat everyone fairly.

For 22 years, Ron donated platelets in honor of his brother, Ernest, who died of Leukemia. He donated over 550 products.

Ron and Jill volunteered for Windber Hospice for 4 years, did prison ministry, disciple in missions, attended many spiritual retreats, and held many prayer groups in their home. He was ordained a deacon on May 30, 2009, after he and Jill spent 5 years in formation and served St. Peter's Parish for 10 years. Serving his Lord, others, and doing God's will was very important to Ron.

After selling his business, Ron and Jill moved to Summerville, SC in October of 2019 to spend their retirement years.

Ron's lifelong wish was for all of his family and friends to put the Lord first in their lives, so that everyone could be together again in Heaven.

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Frank Jr., and Ernest; and brother in-law, Anthony Deitke. 

Ron is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Jill Maneer Kolonich of 30 years. In Ron's own words, " Jill was the best wife I could have asked for. Such a blessing and supportive in every way. Without her I would have never accomplished so many things. She was my best friend and the love of my life."

Ron is also survived by his daughter, Ronda Rizzo (Butch); grandsons: Adam and Nicholas; son, Richard (Jennifer); grandson, Ryan; granddaughter, Kaylee; brothers: John (Josephine) and Robert (Teri); sisters: Florence Deitke and Shirley Zborovancik (Steven).

The family will post funeral arrangements in Pennsylvania soon.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.