Ronald Nordenholt

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Lifelong Staten Islander Ronald E. Nordenholt, 85, a retired brass and copper salesman who was a talented basketball player in his youth, died Friday in Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where he had resided for four years.

Born in Stapleton, he lived in that community from 1929 until 2010.

Mr. Nordenholt graduated from Curtis High School, where he played standout basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1953, during the Korean War era. He was stationed at Fort Devens, Mass.

Mr. Nordenholt was a brass and copper salesman, retiring in 1992. He then worked part-time for the Virginia Funeral Chapel in Stapleton, until retiring a second time in 2003.

He enjoyed bowling and played in leagues on the Island in the 1950s and 1960s. He also was fond of summer vacations at the Jersey Shore and going to Monmouth Park racetrack with family and friends.

Mr. Nordenholt doted on his two grandchildren.

"We always had fun with our Opah," said his granddaughter, Abigail.

"He looked forward to seeing me play in Yankee Stadium," said his grandson, Alex.

Mr. Nordenholt was a longtime parishioner of Trinity Lutheran Church, Stapleton, where he served on the church council and coached basketball.

His wife of 29 years, the former Roberta Ireland, died in 1989.

Surviving are his sons, Bruce and Jeffrey, and two grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp.