Ronald P. Plocinik Sr., (aka Milton), formerly of Coaldale, passed away on July 18, 2018, at his home in Little River, South Carolina.
Ron was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and was a son of the late Henry and Stella (Meravage) Plocinik of Coaldale.
He was a 1955 graduate of Coaldale High School and graduated from Stevens College of Technology in Lancaster in 1958 as a machinist.
He married Bernadine (Janicek) Plocinik on June 18, 1960, by Father Gasko at St. Cyril & Methodius Church, and they had been married for 58 years.
Ron owned his own "Mr. Softee" business (ice cream) in Teaneck, N.J., before returning to Coaldale in 1971.
He worked as a truck driver and later as a supervisor at Bethlehem Mines until they closed. He then worked as a foreman at Panther Paseo Creek until he retired in 1995.
Ron was mayor of Coaldale from 1973-1981. During that time he started a project "Save the Tiger" to save the Coaldale High School and in 1973 a council was formed called the Coaldale High School Complex.
Ron was president of the council from 1973-1993 and hard work from a group of volunteers allowed for the renovation of the old high school which now serves the "Head Start Program."
Ron was involved with Boy Scouts in the 1970s and served as a Boy Scout leader. He served as president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Cyril & Methodius Church in Coaldale in 1993 until the church closed in 2008.
He then joined St. Katharine's Church and St. Joseph's Church and also participated in their St. Vincent DePaul programs. He served as president of the Allentown Diocese St. Vincent DePaul Society from 1990-1993 and again from 2000-2003.
Ron also volunteered for the Senior Aide Program, a Christian prison ministry and was also a Eucharistic minister at his church. He most recently belonged to Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in South Carolina.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife Bernadine. He is also survived by his four sons, Ronald P. Jr., and wife Cathy (Joseph), of Lehighton, Anthony M., and wife Ann Therese (Kupec), Richard J., and wife Michele (Pavlik), both of Beltzville, and Paul M. of Centerville, Md.; and former daughter-in-law Karen Plocinik of Centerville, Md. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Kimberly, Joshua, Anthony, Justin, Heather, Jacob, Ashley, Elissa, Jessica, Jennifer, Amanda and Zach; and one great-grandchild Marley; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Stella (Meravage) Plocinik; a sister, Joan Carey Harris; and his twin brother, Robert Plocinik.
Service: Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, 462 W. Ludlow St., Summit Hill. Interment will follow at St. Bertha's Cemetery, Tuscarora. Calling hours are from 10-11 a.m. ln the church. Contributions in Ron's memory may be made to the Vincent DePaul Society or Piarist School, c/o Fr. Tom Carroll, 7279 State Road 321, Box 369, Hager Hill, Kentucky 41222.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Thomas J. Parambo Funeral Home of Summit Hill. Online condolences may be shared at www._parambofh.com.
Published in Times News on Aug. 1, 2018
