Merry Christmas, Ron!

The Christmas season was Pop’s favorite time of the year. Like Clark Griswold’s home, the lights on our house could be seen from outer space, but Pop was much more tasteful, making the focal point a beautiful life sized hand made nativity scene that was so beautiful pedestrians would stop and pray in front of regularly. If you had the pleasure of being inside our house at Christmas time oh boy it was a magical Christmas Wonderland that we will never forget. He had moving figures decorating the huge tree, a dancing Santa clause, an expansive village with skating figurines with a train going round and round, and lighted garland adorning every doorway. The house exuded warmth, joy and love. Every single year, grandchildren or not, on Christmas Eve Daddy put out cookies and milk for Santa and when we arrived we could all see that they were gone.

At some point during the Christmas season, we would all watch Daddy’s favorite movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Upon reflecting on his life we realized just how many parallels there are. You see, Yonkers had its own George Bailey, and that was Ron Volino. Like George, Daddy was inspired by his father’s legacy of compassion for others, care for his fellow man and service to the community. With great love he cared for patients in their homes who were unable to come to the office. He treated people who didn’t have insurance and couldn’t pay. If he knew of someone struggling he gave them money or he found a job for them, either directly from him or through someone he knew. As a landlord, he was generous and sometimes against the advice of his personal attorney forgave rent balances so tenants could get back on their feet. He desired to make people’s lives better. He was good to people – and us. And that brought him great joy. I remember when he went down to Columbia to wheel Palma around to her finals in a snowstorm after she sprained her ankle! And he would make surprise visits to our houses to decorate our lawns for different holidays! Our kids remember pop pop as always being there. He came to everything Mommy, they said. He didn’t want to miss a thing.

Remember George’s small town Bedford Falls? Well Daddy created his own version right here in Yonkers by knowing and caring about so many people who became close friends and that he treated as family. It is true that as George Bailey came to realize “no man is a failure who has friends.” Daddy hated what he called “fair weather friends” and taught us that genuine friendships are built on trust and loyalty. Daddy had a gift for building people up. Encouraging them to achieve their goals, seeing the best in people. He taught us not to judge others and never ever felt he was better than anyone. He learned waiter’s names so that he could address them with respect and asked about their kids. He taught us to thank the cleaners and others who work hard for us but who are often unseen and overlooked. Daddy was a light in this world and connected with everyone he met, making everyone feel special in his presence. What a gift he had.

Ron found his Mary when he walked into the local market as a teenager and saw a shy neighborhood girl named Annette Musco working behind her father’s butcher store counter. Together they raised three children, with gentleness and kindness, instilling in us the same core values they learned from their parents. As a father, Daddy was always thoughtful and present. He would surprise us with gifts on valentines morning and would make a regular old pick up from ccd special by taking us out for a hot chocolate and a corn muffin, just to spend a few uninterrupted minutes sitting across from us at the diner before heading back to a busy office.

The only difference between George and Ron was that Ron didn’t need divine intervention to convince him that his life was wonderful; he knew it all along. He embraced life, living it to the fullest. Daddy had a knack for enjoying everything he did! Even a simple hello with a warm smile had him in the present moment. He saw you and only you, with such genuine warmth and love. He saw the beauty in every situation and desired to capture all of life’s special moments by taking pictures. Even when something went wrong in life he would brush it off and find the silver lining so that he could keep being happy. Nothing would get him down for long. He knew how precious life really is.

While struggling with some health issues in his final days, Daddy managed with such grace, always keeping a smile on his face and love exuding from his heart. He amazed us! He didn’t become crabby and bitter. He was still the same beautiful Daddy we knew. Now at the end of the movie Clarence earned his wings because he saved George’s life. Well Daddy you earned your wings. You saved so many lives with your gifts of love, generosity and hope.

Daddy, you always called me Your Miracle. Anyone who heard one of daddy’s beautiful toasts at any celebration for me over the years heard him remind us that I weighed only 2 pounds 4 and ¾ ounces when I was born. Well, when it was obvious that daddy needed a miracle, I told him that now you are going to be my miracle. And I prayed and prayed, asking God for him to be my miracle, for his health to improve. And then I realized he already was my miracle! And has been since the day I was born. And Daddy, you have been a miracle to all of us – Mommy, Vickie, Vincent, your family, your friends and all whose lives you touched. And we know you will continue to be that for us as you remain with us and watch over us.

Fly high with the angels Daddy. You earned your reward. Yours indeed has been a wonderful life, and we promise you that your legacy will endure forever through your descendants whom we will guide in your ways. We will continually share with them and strive ourselves to live Life According to Ron:

• • • • Enjoy each moment
      • Find the beauty
      • Love fiercely
      • Show up with positivity
      • Care for others
      • Be gentle
      • Be generous
      • Make people feel special
      • Count your blessings

WE MISS YOU – Click here to read Ron’s OBITUARY