From the time that my family moved to Wethersfield, as we entered the 8th grade, Ronny  (he much later became 'Ron') and I were close friends, goofy prank-devising teenagers, fellow thespians (tho' Ron much preferred the behind-the-scenes work to treading the floorboards of the stage) and partners in learning how to grow older without completely growing up.  During the summer that he was recovering from rheumatic fever, I practically lived in his home on Buckland Rd. - or he in mine. Family dinners at his house or mine were multi-stage affairs ... at his house because Ann loved to serve traditional Italian dinners that, of course, have multiple stages ... and at my house because, with 9 kids, we ate in stages just to be able to fit. 

Ron and I tinkered with recording devices, did some of the first mobile recording sessions imagined in that hand-me-down, but elegant, Chrysler New Yorker that he got from John, his Dad, worked our way up from Radio Shack components to full-track recording equipment that John helped him to acquire from WTIC when they didin't need it any more.  It wasn't until we were in our 30's that he and I told my family what really happened to the rear window of my old '53 Chevy BelAir. 

The saddest thing to me was that I didn't stay closer. When I went to the west coast prior to Vietnam, came back to the West Coast and stayed out there with the Navy we sort of lost touch in terms of constant contact - tho' he did adopt my older brother, Dennis, who was around the area and going to law school.  But, when we did re-connect, it was like we had never missed a beat. With his founding of D&K, the ground-breaking work he did there for 40  years, the challenging work of providing live sound reinforcement at political conventions and campaigns, doing live remotes, etc. he was a leader in his field.  The high regard in which he was held by his industry, the archdiocese of Hartford who was a great client, his many friends and - most of all - his family, marked Ron as a truly great guy.  He will be missed.  

Peace to you, my friend. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

Brian Hoffman - WHS Class of 1963

I’ve been friends with Tim since the age of 5 or so, and have spent a lot of my time with his family over the last 35 years.  Ron and Kathleen’s house was the place for all of Tim’s friends to hang out from 8th grade until after college… on weekends, over the summer, when we were all home from school and wanted to be together.  They created a place for us to have fun and be ourselves without getting into too much trouble.

I remember how Tim would always refer to him “My Ron”, which I always assumed started with him catching himself starting to say “My Dad” and then shifting mid-stream.  I always really liked that in a funny awkward and sweet way.

I’m laughing now, thinking about Ron yelling at us in a high pitch as we did incredibly stupid teenage things, but with a secret half-hidden smile… mocking us for how we never seemed to have girls around as we played video games and ate chips messily in a basement… the sideways smile on his face as he shook his head at what we considered fun.

Ron would give me private encouragement when nobody else was around, reminding me that we were all exceptionally good, smart kids, and that we had to stick together because our group of friends was something really special.  He knew the value of having long term friendships, and he wanted us all to have it.

And I remember that every Thanksgiving break in college, when the boys were back in town and we stopped by the DeLisa house to hang out, or to pick up Tim… Ron would gather us in the kitchen and we would all toast to us with one shot of Wild Turkey.  It was a tradition that we carried on every year if we were around, and it was a great one that celebrated good friends and our longtime host, our patron… our Ron.

I wish I could be back there with all of you right now.  My sincere condolences go out to everyone who loved Ron. 

Rob Herron
Westminster, CO

Ron was a great man to work with, both as a voice-over talent and using his company to provide high-quality sound at events that I produced. He was one-of-a-kind and I will miss him greatly. RIP my friend!  

Tom Reynolds

I am very sorry to hear of Ron's passing.  During high school Ron and Brian and I spent many hours together enjoying our times and making money whenever Ron saw an opportunity.  How many hours did we spend in his Mom's basement cutting records in what would eventually become D&K, or showing movies on a beach or working on some theatrical endeavor at school or other venues?  Ron had the widest circle of friends and we all benefited from his gregarious nature while meeting and becoming friends with people that we might not have known were it not for a wonderful common connection - Ron.

I am happy I had the chance to meet up with him for what was now the last time at our last class reunion, after all the years we picked up right where we left off.  God speed my friend!

Ben Donatelli
Tampa, Florida

I went to school with Ron, graduated from WHS with him.  I saw him often and always thought him a smart, extremely talented person.  He was funny and a pleasure to be around.  I'm not sure our class would have had any of our special events if it were not for Ron's dedication and hard work.
Ronny was gifted and shared that gift with an entire Class ('63)
My sincerest condolences to his family.

Jim Savoy
Wethersfield ('63)

We are so sorry to hear the loss of cousin Ron.  Our sympathies to Kathleen, Ken and the entire family.  My fondest memories are cousin Ron and the GHO tickets.  I could always count on those tickets every year.  Ron was a truly giving person.  

Sincerest sympathies,

Cousin Kathy (Aunt Mary's daughter) and Tom

OBITUARIO

Ronald Francis DeLisa

Falleció en 22 NOVIEMBRE, 2015

D'Esopo Funeral Chapel

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