LIBERTY , Ronald Antonelli,73 Prayers will be 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. At St. Edward Church celebrated by Msgr. Robert Siffrin, for Ronald Antonelli who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 28,2016 at The Liberty Healthcare Center after a long and courageous battle with prostate cancer. He was born June 20,1942,in Youngstown, the son of Joseph and Nellie Minotti Antonelli.Ron was a valuable and prolific member of our community. Ron grew up in Youngstown where he attended the Youngstown City Schools and graduated from Chaney High School in 1960.He then attended and graduated from Youngstown State University in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and received a Master's Degree in Administration from Westminster College in 1969. He went on to a vibrant career as an educator starting his career as a math teacher at Leavittsburg Elementary, continuing at Garrettsville Elementary and then Youngstown City Schools. He was selected as an Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1973 in recognition of contributions to the advancement of elementary education and service to the community. He completed his career with Austintown Local Schools where he was a Director of the Adult Basic Education Program and a math teacher at Austintown Middle School. He retired with 38 years in education where he was revered as a teacher and made a difference in the lives of his students. Ron was a proud member of the National Education Association, Ohio Education Association and the Austintown Education Association. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He was also the owner of Summerhill Day Camp for ten years, an eight week summer program for campers from kindergarten through eighth grade. Many teachers and college students were employed for the summer as counselors. Ron was a longtime member of the Youngstown Columbiana Board of Realtors and Ohio Association of Realtors. He served on the Board of Directors in 2003 2004. Ron recently celebrated 40 years as a Real Estate Broker/Owner of Antonelli and Associates where he was a million dollar producer every year. He was a natural for selling whether it was residential homes, commercial buildings or large investment apartment complexes. He loved the challenge and the competition and his famous phrase was "Let's make the deal and get it done!". Ron married the love of his life, Bridget Italiano, on July 14, 1962 at St. Edward Parish. They were college sweethearts and were married for 53 years. He leaves with great pride his two children, Sharon McKeown and husband Daniel, and Ronald Joseph and wife Tammy. His four grandchildren whom he adored with all his heart, Sean and Ryan McKeown, Mario and Marissa Antonelli. They were the love of his life and he was so proud of all of their accomplishments. He enjoyed attending all the sporting events for his grandchildren from little league games to basketball, soccer and gymnastic games. He leaves his brother in law and sister in law, Joseph and Vicky Italiano, and niece Julie Italiano, nephews Paul and Erik Lindsay and wife Elke, his aunt Mrs. Bianca Minotti, many cousins and friends. He loved walking his beloved pet Max, a little Maltese. He was a faithful husband, loving father, grandfather, brother in law, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. Ron's happiest moments were spending time with his family, especially family vacations to Florida, New York and Las Vegas. He loved spending the winter in Florida with his wife and enjoying Friday evening dinners, Tuesday evening dinners at Station Square for the past 16 years, and Saturday night dinners with special and dear friends. These were highlights of the week. He and his wife enjoyed traveling to Europe and taking cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He was an active member of The Lake Club. Ron was an avid fan of Cleveland Indians Baseball, Youngstown State University Football, especially the winning years of James Tressel and the championship teams, and the Ohio State University Buckeyes. Throughout his life Ron was involved in many activities. He was a committee member for the Liberty Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society. He and his wife sponsored a team for ten years, Antonelli and Friends, where they raised thousands of dollars for the fight against cancer. He was also a member of the Cattle Baron's Ball Committee for the American Cancer Society. Ron was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Florida and received his fourth degree at St. Charles Church in Boardman in September 2014. He was a little league baseball coach for many years for his son R.J. and also sponsored teams. He was a member of the Liberty Baseball Association. Ron had a strong commitment to his faith, his family, his friends, his students, and his business clients. He always had a smile and friendly to everyone, always a positive attitude! He was a Catholic and a devout member of St. Edward Parish and lived his life by the power of prayer. Those of us who survive him will forever cherish the memory of his unconditional love and loyalty as well as his exuberance for life. He will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Elaine Antonelli Lindsay, his mother in law and father in law Mary and Joseph Italiano, sister in law Elaine Italiano,and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Ron's family would like to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to his doctors and nurses for the excellent care and kindness during his illness; Dr. Howard Scher and his staff at Memorial Sloane Kettering Hospital, New York City;?Dr. Antoine Chahine and staff at St. Joseph Medical Center, Warren, Ohio; Dr. Edward Novosel, Administrator, Dr. Jon Arnott and the third floor nurses at St. Joseph Hospital; Dr. John Delliquadri, nurses and staff at Liberty Healthcare Center; and nurses and caregivers from Hospice of the Valley. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations should be made payable to "YSU Foundation" and in the memo line "Antonelli Memorial Education Scholarship," 655 Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44502. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Fox Funeral Home, Boardman. Video Tribute: