Obituary of Ronald D. Ettinger

Ronald D. Ettinger, Sr., a resident of Wappingers Falls, passed away surrounded by his family after a short illness at his home. He was 78. Son of the late Herbert and Helen Parkton Ettinger, he was born July 3, 1935 in Poughkeepsie. He attended Poughkeepsie schools and graduated from Wappingers High School. He married the love of his life, the former Sandy Nevins on June 29, 1958 at St. Mary's Church in Wappingers Falls. Mrs. Ettinger survives at home. Ron worked as a manager with IBM, retiring after thirty-five years of service. He went on to work for Filene's and Macy's for fourteen years. One of his fondest memories was having the opportunity to guide a balloon in the Macy's Day Parade. He was a life member of the New Hamburg Engine Co. 1. Ron enjoyed the family ritual of spending time at the beach and boardwalk in Seaside Park, New Jersey. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a loving husband and devoted father and grandfather; priding himself on never missing an event special to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Sandy Ettinger; his daughter, Dawn Wojciekofsky of Wappingers Falls and her daughter, Jordan Skye; his son, Ronald Ettinger, Jr. of Poughkeepsie and his sons, Cody and Tyler; his sister, Dorothy Allen and her husband, Donald of Poughkeepsie; as well as several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Family will receive friends on Thursday, March 13, 2014 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 14 at the funeral home with New Hamburg Fire District Chaplin, Rev. Astrid Storm officiating. Entombment will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, South Avenue, Poughkeepsie. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ron's name may be made to Joni's Team, American Cancer Society, 121 Executive Drive, New Windsor, NY 12553. Please write Joni's Team on the memo line. To send the family a personal condolence or for directions, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.