Ron was born on October 9, 1940, in Merced, California, to Adriana Margaret Brizzi and Alfred Joseph 'Fred' Martignoni. His grandparents emigrated from Italy in the early 20th century through NYC, settling in San Francisco, then the Salinas and San Joaquin Valleys. They were of Italian and Swiss heritage.
Ronald is survived by his wife, Margery Faith (Brown) Martignoni. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 22, 1964. Margie’s family migrated from the Arkansas Ozarks to California via historic Route 66 in 1952. Her roots were of UK and German heritage.
Ron, always the devoted husband and father, loved both families and their unique histories, and was equally integral to both, honoring his birth family and his marital family with steadfast loyalty and patriarchal character.
He leaves behind a daughter, Melissa Weisz (Jeff); a son, Michael Martignoni; a grandson, Austin Martignoni; his granddaughters, Jessica Weisz and Rachael Weisz; his sister, Darlene Stollings (Charles); and his very special aunt, Eleanor Martignoni Roduner.
He also leaves sisters-in-law, Loretta Cargill (Charles) and Polly Brown; and brother-in-law, Lloyd Brown (Ruthie), and dozens of devoted nieces and nephews on both sides of his family tree.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Adri, and his brother, Donald Anthony ‘Dado’ Martignoni and sisters-in-law, Anita Brown Erickson and Ruthie Wood Brown.
Ronald was a simple man who was quick to help others and a genuine ‘people person’ that stood out in a crowd with a wide smile, unforgettable voice, hearty laughter and a friendly fist-bump for anyone and everyone. He was very proud and faithful to his work in trucking; it was never ‘just a job’. He started his career at O'Neill Meat Company and retired from Great America Trucking after more than a half century in the industry.
He loved his family and enjoyed his hobbies and special interests including hot-rods, classic cars, Chevys, motorcycles, stock car racing (Nascar), and especially, Peterbilts, KWs and Freightliners—all of them, so long as they were fast and shiny!
A Graveside Service will be held at Clovis Cemetery, 305 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, California 93612, on July 21, 2026, at 10:00 am. All are invited.
