Ronald John Holoviak

Obituary

Ronald John Holoviak

AGE: 66 • Wilmington

Ronald John Holoviak, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2013. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on August 16, 1947 to the late Daniel J. Holoviak and Carolyn (Maier) Holoviak. He was raised in Wilmington, DE, where Ron attended and graduated from Mt. Pleasant HS in 1965. Ron attended Waynesburg College in Western PA, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. He went on to attend the University of Delaware where he earned a Masters of Education degree in 1977. Ron participated in football and wrestling in high school and college.

Ron was employed as a teacher in 1969 for the Anne Arundel County School District (5th grade) in Annapolis, MD for one year. In 1970, Ron followed his desire to move back to his home state of Delaware and pursued a teaching job with the A.I. du Pont School District at Brandywood Elementary School where he taught all subjects for 6th grade for several years. He then moved to George Gray Elementary in Wilmington, DE for an additional year, but decided to move on to teach 8th grade at Kirk Middle School within the Christina School District in Newark, DE. He continued his teaching career at Kirk until his retirement in 1998. During his active teaching years, Ron was involved in a Young Astronaut's Program for his students, assisting with writing school district curriculum in conjunction with the University of Delaware, and also worked with his students on a computer/robotic program. Ron had a tremendous passion for teaching and loved all his students.

Ron enjoyed many pursuits. He had a tremendous love of music. He loved playing his guitar and listening to music, especially the oldies and bluegrass. He loved camping and traveling, especially with his children to the Jersey Shore. He made many friends on his camping trips. Ron enjoyed working with his hands and building with wood. He also had a passion for reading. For several years, Ron was a member of the Brookside Lion's Club in Newark, DE and held several offices. His deepest passion was playing golf, especially with his Lion's Club buddies, his wife and his very dear friends. He will greatly be missed by his four-legged companion, Midnight, who always brought a smile and chuckle to his heart. 

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and uncle, Ron is survived by his beloved wife of ¬¬44 years, Velma L. Holoviak; son, Ronald Keith Holoviak (Dee Dee); daughter, Sherri Denise Holoviak; two grandchildren, Serena Nicole Alexander and Destiney Haley Holoviak. He is also survived by his brother, Daniel R.J. Holoviak (Joan), and his sister, Barbara C. Weeks; 15 nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews and numerous friends.

A memorial service celebrating Ron's life will be held on Monday, December 2, at 11am, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Duncan Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19809, where friends may call after 10am. The family wishes to extend their thanks for the kindness, love and support everyone has given during this time. Please come to share fellowship. Ron's cremains will be interred in the church's Memorial Garden following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Ron may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or the Lions Eye Bank of the Delaware Valley, 401 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123.