Ronald Spencer Schulz

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 3, 2018, celebrated by Rev. Thomas Constantine, at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman for Ronald Spencer Schulz, who passed away at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, on Saturday, September 29, 2018, surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle to overcome pneumonia and respiratory health issues.

Ron was born September 24, 1937, in Youngstown, OH, the son of Gregory and Ruth (Garvin) Schulz. He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School, Hillman Jr. High School, and South High School.  

Following High School, he completed a five-year Journeyman Training Program for the Plumbing/Pipefitting Industry in 1965.  Following was a 45+ year distinguished career in the plumbing and contractor business.  He worked with, and as, a trend setter and decision maker in the plumbing industry.  His various career highlights included ownership of Bloomberg Plumbing, Suburban Plumbing & Heating and Fibercon Insulation.  He also served as chairman of Plumbers Local 396 Apprenticeship Committee, and was Executive Secretary of the Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors of Eastern Ohio (PHCC) and the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA).   In 2002, he was named Labor-Management Leader of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce and Labor/Management Council.

Ron began a parallel career pursuing his dream to compete in the computer industry as a founder of C&S computers.  Additionally, in 1996, he and his brother-in-law joined together to acquire, manage and build three laundromats in Mahoning and Trumbull County. 

Ron was not only a pioneer in his business life – he was far from all work and no play.  He was a charter member of the Lake Milton Association (LMA), serving as a board member for many years. He was an integral force in the development of the Lake Milton area after the State take-over of Lake Milton as a State Park.  He worked tirelessly with the LMA to bring gas, water and sewer services to the growing community where he and his wife Leni built the first new home on Lake Milton in decades in 1985.

The move to Lake Milton began a new era of family picnics, boating and the famous annual corn roast.  Residing at the Lake for the past 38 years, he and his wife Leni added to their family and made countless memories for young and old.  From hosting the St. John Senior Citizens picnic to his role as “Captain Ron” - many nieces, nephews, god-children, seniors and family friends enjoyed their first tubing, water skiing or boating experiences.  He also enjoyed travel with his wife and family – with no destination too far anywhere in the world.

Following his retirement, much of his winters were spent at his second home in Ft. Myers FL where he established an even further group of friends and extended family.  No matter where he would be found, you could guarantee a piece of OH was with him due to his passion for the Buckeyes and Browns.

Ron was a member in good standing at St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church and St. Nicholas’ Greek Orthodox Church, volunteering at countless fundraisers and festivals, even lending his technical expertise to the upgrading of their accounting and stewardship software.  He was also a founding member of the Youngstown Scleroderma Support Group and the annual Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk.

His life was truly a balance of all that could be offered.  With a unique zest for finding new adventures and always wanting to be on the cutting edge, he fully embraced all the new opportunities that came before him.  From work and play to family and faith, Ron was a traditionalist, always instilling earnest values and priceless life lessons in those lucky enough to be by his side.  The fruits of his labor afforded him the chance to live fully, but it was a hard day’s work and a job well done, combined with a love of family, that were the things that he truly cherished the most.

Besides his wife Leni (Panagopoulos) he leaves his daughter, Marianne (Ralph) DeCapua of Sarasota, FL; son David; brother-in-law Tom (Georgeann) Panagopoulos; sister-in-law Mariann (Kevin) Boyanowski and many nieces, nephews and Godchildren whom he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard.

Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2 at Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street, Boardman with a Trisagion service at 7 p.m., and again from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 3 at St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that material contributions be made to the Scleroderma Foundation, Ohio Chapter, PO Box 107, Pataskala, OH  43062 or St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church, 4955 Glenwood Ave., Youngstown, OH  44512.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate nursing and healthcare staff at Mercy Health, St. Elizabeth main campus, MICO Unit, Belmont Ave.

Family and friends may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and send condolences.

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