Ronald Ernest Safronoff

Ronald was born June 29, 1936, in Ferndale, Michigan, the son of the late Nikky Safronoff and the late Wilma (Fowler) Jarusunas. He was raised in Ferndale alongside his brother Richard “Ricky” Safronoff, who preceded him in death.

Ron attended Western High School in Detroit, where he played football and was recruited to play for Villanova University. At the end of his first year at Villanova, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served two years as a Military Police Officer at Fort Benning, Georgia. Just before leaving for service, he met the love of his life, Nancy Zenda. Their playful first exchange happened at a laundromat: Ron quipped he’d “seen better legs on a bar stool,” and Nancy shot back that she’d “seen smaller heads on a glass of beer.” From that spirited beginning, their lifelong love story began. They married on May 10, 1958, and shared 61 years of marriage until Nancy’s passing in 2019.

After his honorable discharge, Ron returned to Detroit, where he worked with Teamsters Union Local 299, and he and Nancy began building a family. They welcomed their first children, Kathie and Walter. Ron later joined Marathon Oil, a move that brought the family to Roseville, Michigan, where they put down roots for more than 50 years and welcomed three more children: Patrick, Donald, and Cynthia.

Ron then transitioned into a long and successful real estate career, earning his broker’s license and working in the field for more than 50 years. Together, he and Nancy built two businesses, Title Realty and Landmark Investment Company, which reflected their shared entrepreneurial spirit. Though he remained active in real estate, Ron returned to the Teamsters, where he ultimately retired after more than 30 years of service.

Ron was known for his determination, his love of family, and his drive to create opportunities. He had a lifelong passion for college football, especially on autumn Saturdays. He loved traveling, long walks on the beach, and collecting seashells. In later years, when travel became difficult, he found joy in time spent with his family. He could be found most evenings on the front porch enjoying a sunset.

Ronald was the beloved husband of the late Nancy Safronoff, and the loving father of Kathie (David) Sonnenberg, the late Walter (Leisa) Safronoff, the late Patrick Safronoff, Donald Safronoff, and Cyndi (Craig) Lyon. Cherished grandfather of Alexis Lyon, Addison Lyon, Nicholas Safronoff, Lisa Ausmus, the late Darin Sonnenberg, and the proud great-grandfather of Wyatt Ursillo. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard “Ricky” Safronoff and parents Nikky Safronoff and Wilma Jarusunas.

Visitation for Mr. Safronoff will be held Monday, September 8, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. A short service will begin at 1:00 p.m at the Funeral Home, with interment and military honors at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan, at 2:15 p.m.

Please share memories of Ron at his guest book below.