Ronald James Sealy
Ronald James Sealy, age 70, of Brownsville, Pa., was called home to the Lord on Friday, April 11, 2003. “Ron” was born in Brownsville, Pa., on July 20, 1932. Ron was the third of eight children born to George Clark Sr. and Mary Ellen “Polly” Wardman Sealy.
Ron lived in Brownsville all the days of his life. He graduated from Brownsville High School in 1950.
That same year he began his career with the Monongahela Railway Company. He was a member of The Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks. He went through the ranks from Detective to Captain of Railway Police and retired from the railroad in 1994 with 44 years of accident-free service.
Ron entered the military in 1953 and served in the United States Army as an Airplane Mechanic during the Korean Conflict.
He married the love of his life, Bonnie Lee Pegg, on July 26, 1956, in Sprindgale, Pa.
“R. J.”, as he was known to his family and friends, was the ultimate volunteer. He dedicated his life to the service of others. Throughout the years, he served the youth of Brownsville as an Umpire for the Brownsville Youth League and as a Coach for the Brownsville Biddy Basketball League.
Ron was a Founding Member of the Brownsville Ambulance Service and Washington Township (CAS) Ambulance Service.
He was a CPR and First Aid instructor for the American Red Cross and in 1985 was honored with “The Instructor of The Year” Award.
He was a former member of The Odd Fellows and also the Brownsville Rotary, and was an Honorary Member of the Hiller Volunteer Fire Company.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Brownsville all of his life where he served as Head Trustee, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Usher, and Choir Member.
Ron was a 47-year active member of Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 and worked his way through the ranks of the organization. Ron served as Fire Chief for 10 years. He was a member of Western Pennsylvania Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs Association. He was a member of the Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 Fireman’s Choir and Chairman of the Kennywood Committee for many years. He was serving as Chaplain at the time of his passing.
Ron loved his wife, children and grandchildren dearly! Everyone he met became his friend. No matter of what walk of life a person came from, he treated everyone as an equal.
He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sisters and their families during Brownsville’s annual Kennywood Day celebration.
Ron was known for his cabbage rolls and his famous recipe barbecue chicken during the annual Pike Days celebration.
Even though he was retired from the railroad, he remained busy delivering automotive parts for Standard Auto Supply of Brownsville. He was a very hard worker!
His legacy will live on in the lives of his loved ones and those who had the pleasure of making his acquaintance!
He was preceded in death by is parents and a sister, Joyce Doreen.
Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Bonnie Lee Pegg Sealy; four Children: Ronald Leslie Sealy and wife Monica Lynn, Uniontown, Pa., Dana Clark Sealy and wife Tami Lynn, Brownsville, Pa., Rhonda Lee Sealy Booze and husband Lawrence Robert Booze, Fredericktown, Pa., and Amy Beth Sealy DellaPenna and husband Carl Antonii DellaPenna, Grindstone, Pa.; the apples of his eyes, his Grandchildren: Nicole Lynn Booze, Lawrence Robert “L. B” Booze, Jordan Clark Sealy, Julie Elizabeth Sealy, Carl Antonii DellaPenna and Caleb Aaron DellaPenna.
His memory will be cherished by Brothers: George Clark Sealy Jr. and wife Louise, Ellsworth, Maine, Richard Lee Sealy and wife Sylvia, Brownsville, Pa., Howard Keith Sealy, Brownsville, Pa., and Kenneth Stewart Sealy and wife JoLouise, Monessen, Pa.; sisters: Dorothy “Dot” Chovan and husband Steve, Latham, New York, and Sandra “Sandy” Serven and husband Jesse, Latham, New York; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law: Joanne Stathers, Centerville, Pa., Robert “Buzz” Pegg and wife June, Boardman, Ohio, and Helen “Sis” Kennedy and husband Alan, Jackson, Tennessee; Aunt, Margaret “Peggy” Piper, Cabbage Flats, Greensboro R.D.1, Pa.; Uncle, James W. Wardman, Brownsville, Pa.; several Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.
The Family will receive Friends in the celebration of Ron’s life in the SKIRPAN FUNERAL HOME, 135 Park Street, Brownsville, Pa., today from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m.
Visitation continues in First United Methodist Church, 215 Church Street, Brownsville, Pa., on Tuesday, April 15, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Paul E. Wilson Sr. officiating.
Interment will follow in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, Pa., where Full Military Honors will be accorded by American Legion Post 295 and Post 940.
Brownsville Fire Company No. 1 will hold Services in the Funeral Home today at 7 p.m.
Visitation was also held Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m.