John F. Ronayne Vietnam War: 101st Airborne Division, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry - Army Veteran & Bronze Star Recipient
TEWKSBURY: John Francis Ronayne, age 72, a longtime Tewksbury resident, formerly of Somerville, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in Boston, Massachusetts on Friday, March 27, 2020.
He was the beloved husband of Donna C. (Giadone) Ronayne, with whom he celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on October 6, 2019
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 16, 1948, he was the son of the late James Ronayne, and the late Elizabeth (Hanley) Ronayne.
John was raised in Somerville, and graduated from Somerville High School in 1966. He later attended the University of Lowell, where he received his Bachelors’ Degree in Business Administration, and later a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University.
In 1967, John enlisted in the United States Army, and later volunteered to join an elite group of soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry - “Rakkasans”) and served during the Vietnam War, conducting combat operations from March, 1968 until May, 1969. He was awarded numerous decorations for his military service. These decorations included the Bronze Star Medal for courage and valor while under fire from foreign enemy forces of the United States, National Defense Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Upon returning home from Vietnam in May 1969, John finished out his military service stateside with the 82nd Airborne Division, being honorably discharged from military service in September, 1969.
John worked in the Insurance Industry for many years, and retired from Travelers Insurance Company in 2010.
In his spare time, John enjoyed going on annual trips to Las Vegas with his loving wife, ski trips to various resorts with his daughter Michelle, refereeing ice hockey, and following the NASCAR auto racing circuit with his son Christopher, traveling to numerous race tracks all over the country. He was a proud member of Rowdy Nation.
In addition to his wife, he leaves behind two loving children. Christopher J. Ronayne of Lowell, Massachusetts and Michelle K. Ronayne of Malden, Massachusetts.
John also leaves behind his sister, Ann Cabral of Westport, MA and his sister-in-law, Beatrice Ronayne of Rindge, NH. John was also the loving brother of the late James Ronayne of Rindge, NH as well as the loving son-in-law of the late Catherine V. Giadone and the late Philip J. Giadone, Jr., of North Reading, MA.
Services for John are private. Interment will be at Lowell Cemetery.
Those who wish may make a donation in John’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville FL 32256
Expressions of sympathy and support may be mailed to Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876. Attn: Ronayne Family or by leaving a condolence message on this website.