LELAND — Ron was born in Atlas Pennsylvania, where he went to Mount Carmel Catholic High School. He attended St. Vincent’s College, graduating in 1961 with a degree in Accounting and Finance. In 1961, he was drafted and joined the Navy. He always said those were some of the best years of his life. He was a Lieutenant on the Leonard F. Mason, DD-852, stationed in Japan and Boston. He was Honorably Discharged in 1965. He earned the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal for superior performance of his duties. He served in the Naval Reserve and was Honorably Discharged in 1972.
He worked on Wall Street after his discharge from the Navy. His proudest professional achievement was as the Owner of Clayton Adaptive and Rehabilitative Equipment (CARE) that provided custom-made orthotics, prosthetics, and customized wheelchairs. He was able to help both adults and children to improve their quality of life by increasing their mobility and comfort. He was a partner in Endless Summer Landscape Nursery with his son John (Florida) for several years. He lived in Fair Haven and Little Silver, NJ for many years.
In 2005, he moved with his wife, Joan, to Leland, NC, where they bought a handicap-ramp franchise (AmRamp of NC) so he could use his passion to help folks with mobility and access.
He is survived by his wife, Joan, his children, grandchildren, and his siblings:
- John Fracalossi, his wife Sherry and their children, Michael, and Alyssa residing in Florida.
- Tara Fracalossi, her husband Thomas Lail and their son, Coltrane Fracalossi-Lail residing in New York.
- Cheryl Podmajersky (Joan’s daughter), her husband David and their children, Allison and Kristen residing in New Jersey.
- Henry Fracalossi and family residing in Michigan.
- Eileen Quealy, her husband Tom, and family residing in New York and France.
He was predeceased by his brother William Fracalossi of Pennsylvania.
Ron loved his Navy years, so in the 1990s, he joined the Monmouth Boat Club in Red Bank, NJ so he could spend more time “on the water.” He sailed a 25’ Cape Dory (SeaReacher), then upgraded to a Sabre 28’ (Amorous) in 2001 when he met Joan, who was an avid sailor. Ron and Joan cruised the Navesink River, Sandy Hook Bay, Long Island Sound, British Virgin Islands and Florida.
After selling the ramp business in 2010, he spent his time gardening, making wine, and cooking for his friends. He will be remembered for the many good times spent with friends at both the Leland home and in New Jersey. He traveled to Italy with family to research his Italian ancestors. He volunteered for many years at the Good Shepard Center, Wilmington. He was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Wilmington.
Ron’s personality was bigger than life. His sense of humor and laugh infectious. He could fix anything which friends and family appreciated. He was well loved and will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Wilmington or St Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, 612 South College Rd, Wilmington NC. Reception to follow.
A Celebration of Life with be held at the Monmouth Boat Club, Red Bank, NJ in May 2023 (TBD).
