Ronald E. Sgroi

Ronald Edward Sgroi, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024 after a years-long courageous battle with multiple cancers. Ron was born on October 14, 1945, in Somerville, Massachusetts and lived his life fully in Massachusetts until his passing. He graduated from Somerville Trade School in 1964 with a diploma in auto repair and worked in Boston for 2 years.

Ron met his best friend Butch Ripley in Swifts Beach, Wareham, when his sister married Butch’s uncle They became fast friends and maintained their friendship throughout their lives. Ron met the love of his life, Carole in 1967 through his best friend who was dating Carole’s cousin. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on October 11, 1969 in Wareham, Massachusetts. Five years later on January 31, 1974 they welcomed their daughter Patricia “Trish” into the world to complete their family.

Ron worked for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad while living in Wareham. While working, he saved enough money to buy a gas station right next door to the Fire Station where he was a volunteer firefighter. He moved to Chatham in 1972 where he was hired as a firefighter for the Chatham Fire Department and was selected to be in the first class of paramedics in Massachusetts. He served as a firefighter for 30 years, including as the Deputy Fire Chief in Chatham. His true love in life was the fire department and the devotion he had to saving lives throughout his time as a firefighter.

Ron enjoyed many things - fishing and being out on the water on his boat Binky, trains, and tinkering. His love of trains that stemmed from his time with the Railroad led him to building an extensive train setup in the front yard of the family home that he lovingly renovated and built out from the original shell. In the center of his train setup, Ron maintained a koi pond for many years. Ron was also quite the story teller, telling stories and memories to those around him and anyone who would listen.

Though he had many joys in life, the greatest one of all was his family. His death leaves a great hole in their lives and in the lives of those who knew him.

Ron was predeceased by his in-laws Pat and Arlean Murphy and sister-in-law Judy (Murphy) Drews. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carole Murphy Sgroi, his daughter Trish Perkins (Danny) and two grandchildren Emileigh “Emi” Wood (Kelsey) and Daniel Perkins Jr, who will carry his memory forward with love. He is also survived by brother-in-law Roland Murphy (Kathy), nieces Elisabeth (Matt) Langaleir and Cynthia (Scott) Cinnamon, nephew Pat Drews (Christina), grand nieces Mae and Elena Murphy, Delaney Cinnamon, and grand nephews Aidan and Evan Drews, and Richard Drews Jr (Jean).

His memorial visitation will be held on January 4, 2025 at 11:00 am to 1pm at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham, Massachusetts, 02633. Please join us in wearing red to honor Ron’s service to the Chatham Fire Department.