WILMINGTON — Ronald E Price of Wilmington, formerly of Smithtown NY and Sneads Ferry NC died peacefully February 3 at the Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion. Ronald was born in Brooklyn NY on June 25, 1929, to Arthur Harold Price and Helen Cecilia Clare Drennan. He attended Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn and graduated C.W. Post of Long Island University with a BS degree in 1966.
Ron began his career as a draftsman for Republic Aviation in Farmingdale NY where he met his first wife Winifred Wolford (Winnie), and they were married January 21, 1956. They lived in Commack, NY for a few years before settling in Smithtown where they lived for 30 years and raised a family.
In 1960 Ron was employed by Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage NY and worked in Plant 5 as a structural test engineer and was involved in projects including E-2C structural test, F-14 aircraft retrieval, Key West; Northrop and Grumman Proposal in Long Beach CA. Ronald retired from Grumman after 30 years on October 31, 1990. He and Winnie moved to Topsail Beach NC in 1993. Winnie preceded him in death on July 9, 2003, after 47 years of marriage. Ron and Winnie enjoyed traveling across the globe with their closest friends and relatives and volunteering at the Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.
Ron grew up playing basketball in Brooklyn, NY. His favorite adult pastime was golf and he continued to play golf regularly and well until recently. While at Grumman he made a hole in one on the Bethpage Black Course. Ron also enjoyed skiing and in 2004 he signed up for the Elderhostel ski program at Mt. Sutton, Quebec where he met Elizabeth Pessner, who would later become his wife. They were married on
July 3, 2005, in Richmond VA and resided at North Shore Country Club in Sneads Ferry. On December 17, 2017 they moved to Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall in Wilmington and joined the Little Chapel on the Boardwalk Presbyterian Church on Wrightsville Beach. During the pandemic they moved to 7225 Wrightsville Ave, Apt. 307, Wilmington 28403.
Ronald was preceded in death by his older brother Kenneth Price and wife Helen formerly of Babylon, NY. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Davis Price, by his brother Harold Price and wife Veronica, of Kingston NY, sisters Kathleen Cleary, of Palo Alto CA and Maureen Toone of Brooklyn NY. Also by son Gregory Price and wife Gail of Nazareth PA, daughter Christine Pechner and husband Todd of Cary NC, son Jeffrey Price and wife Judy of Nesconset NY, son Glenn Price and wife Jennifer of Satellite Beach FL, and son Scott Price and wife Melissa of Cartersville GA, Stepson, Ronald O. Pessner and wife Paula of Seattle WA, Stepdaughter Dr. Susan M. Clark and husband, Jeff of Ashburn VA, Stepdaughter Rebecca Ann Jones and husband John of Fredericksburg VA and 19 grandchildren, two great grandsons and many nieces and nephews.
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who exemplified Christian values. He was kind, generous, compassionate and always respectful of others. He lived the Golden Rule. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. His sense of humor and dancing brown eyes will be missed.
In lieu of flowers and as a memorial to Ron please feel free to donate to:
Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401-7335 (make checks payable to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Foundation or by credit card securely online at LifeCare.org
