From the looks of this turnout it is apparent that my father had a lot of family and friends that cared deeply about him. I would like to thank all of those who cared for my father over the past sixteen months. I would especially like to thank Richard Ragovin, for overseeing the extensive care of my father. Words will never truly express my gratitude.
My father, known as Ronny to all, has had five very dear friends in his lifetime that he has talked to me about. Two of them, Howie and Monroe have passed on.
Howie was his racetrack buddy. Howie recently died over the Jewish holidays and my father called me crying to ask me to say a prayer for him. Dad, I said my prayers that day for you and Howie. You know what is funny Dad, you always told me that I bet too much and that you blame yourself for my gambling addiction, but you always told me to go to the track when you had a horse. G_d, what I wouldn't do for one more phone call from you telling me to go to the track. Well anyway, I hope Howie is getting the sheets delivered up to heaven so you and he can handicap the thoroughbreds together.
Monroe was an extremely dear friend to my Dad. Monroe passed away nine years ago at a young age. Ronny and Monroe used to hang out at the local candy store in Howard Beach and bet the lottery, football sheets and organize local card games with their friends. My father missed him dearly and always spoke kindly of him. Knowing Monroe I know he is probably asking my father why it took so long to get there. Well Monroe, I am sorry but I needed to hang on to him for as long as possible. And now that the two of you are together, you can once again organize your card games and run your illegal betting slips. I hope you both, Rest in peace and enjoy your card games together.
His oldest friend from his school years is Alfred. Al was a pharmacist like Ronny, and Ronny worked for him for many years. I know for sure that my father had a ton of respect for you and cherished your friendship. I would give anything for one more train ride in the summer on the sweltering "A" train to the Super B and Clark Surgical. Not many sons get to ride to work with their fathers and it has always made me happy knowing how happy my father was when he was with you both.
Burt and Ellen are also very dear friends to my parents. My father always enjoyed spending summer weekends at your pool, drinking Tanquary and relished the wonderful meals Ellen would cook for him during the week when he slept over. Your friendship with my father meant the work to him and it has always made me happy knowing how happy my father was when he was with you both.
Lucy and Ernie, our next door neighbors and my second parents were another set of bet friends to my parents. I recall the time six months prior to my Bar Mitzvah and the dreaded Haftorah lessons. I, of course had no interest in studying, but my father sat me down with his stern and disciplined attitude and told me I had no choice and that Ernie would be tutoring me. Well even though I ranted and raved, my father won out and Ernie tutored me. Well Ernie, I will tell you now those six months, were one of the most memorable times of my life. I love you for that and since I probably never thanked you properly I know my father would want me to do it today, so thank you. And Joshua, I hope you now realize the importance of your haftorah because it made your grandfather extremely proud and you gave him great nachas.
Ronny leaves behind his sister Iris, brother in law Norman, and two nieces, Stacy and Mindy. You were dear devoted family members and Ronny cherished the times he spent with you.
Ronny leaves behind five grandchildren, Jamie, Allie, Joshua, Cory and Abby. He is proud of all of you and each will always have your own special memories of him. Jamie, the oldest being the first born you brought this family closer together, "pa" loved watching you dance, taking you shopping, but most of all he was proud of your achievements with college. He loved watching you grow into a wonderful young woman. Ronny's next grandchild is Allie. Her quietness and compassion was always something that her "Pa" was proud of and he continued to enjoy your dancing and even more shopping trips with you.
Joshua, the first grandson really made his grandfather proud. He watched him excel at sports and tried to never miss a game. The many hours we sat vigil for your grandfather, you never left my side. Josh, your grandfather knew you were there and that made us both proud. You have truly grown into the man that grandpa knew you would. He loved you dearly.
Cory, the next grandson is the natural athlete and his grandfather loved watching him play basketball and soccer. Scoring a goal for your grandfather this past weekend was such a wonderful gift and I know grandpa Ronny is extremely proud of you. He has watched you grow into a caring and compassionate young boy and loved you dearly.
Now of course there's Abby, the apple of his eye. You always put a smile on your grandpa's face. Whatever you said or did, whether good or bad, made your grandpa laugh. Your grandpa loved you dearly. I'm just sorry that you didn't get to spend more time with him, but we all will keep his memory alive for you with the many stories of his life.
Ronny also leaves behind a devoted daughter in law. My father always said to me that it's a good thing I married someone with a brain and smarter then me, because sometimes he worried that I wouldn't make the right decisions. And the single nicest thing you ever did for him was to write that poem for him after his heart surgery. He loved it and he loved you.
Steven, affectionately known as Stevie, you may have been a son in law, but he loved you like a son. Knowing that you were the one who would take care of his daughter means the world to him. He always enjoyed the many conversations with you, sports, stocks and the drug industry. Steve, you were lucky to have a father in law like him, but Ronny was luckier to have a son like you. He loved you dearly.
Lori, you know how much daddy loved you and that you were his heart. The last three days has certainly brought us closer together and since daddy always used to complain that we never got along with each other and wished we did, I'm going to honor his request and hope you do too. G_d, Lori what I wouldn't give to be at the dinner table again in Howard Beach and to hear daddy say, "No damn it!" and watch you drop and break all the dishes again. Lori, you are his ever loving daughter, whom he loved with all his heart. I might have been his pride, but you were certainly his joy.
To my mother, Ronny's wife of 46 years; Mom, I want to thank you even though you would tell me not to thank you for taking such good care of daddy for the past sixteen months. Without you he never would have lasted this long. You have shown to our family an unmitigated love, compassion and devotion that no other wife could equal. Daddy has always worried about you, especially your shopping habits, but it's really OK because I may be my father's son, but I have adopted my mother's Nordstrom gene. Daddy always said, make sure you take care of your mother, but I know you can take care of yourself, though you should know that Lori and I will always be there for you.
Dad, I have a lot to say to you today, most of which I said to you over the past week in the hospital. I am who I am today because of you. There is no one person I hold in higher regard or respect and love more deeply then you. I can count on two hands the number of times you and I said I love you, but in the last two weeks I think we said it to each other one hundred times. That's just the way we were, we knew it but we never had to say it.
You took me to my first baseball game when I was six and taught me how to keep score. I still remember when you got me my first baseball glove and had our first catch. Let me tell everyone this, there is nothing better then playing catch with your dad.
My earliest and most favorite memory of my many baseball games was in Little League when I was ten years old. I was pitching in the Pee Wee division championship and my father had not arrived for the start of the game. My mother had taken me and was rooting for me on the sidelines. Now everyone can imagine Arlene doing this and embarrassing me to no end. It was the first inning and I was on the mound and kept looking over my shoulder for my dad because I was nervous there without him. Well I walked the first three batters and finally out of left field on Pitkin Avenue came my dad running and yelling to me "Come on Mike, Throw smoke!" And I went on to strike out the side. We went on to win the championship and Dad; I couldn't have done it without you. You know that.
Our other passion was the racetrack. My dad taught me how to handicap the horses when I was ten years old. We spent time at Roosevelt Raceway, Aqueduct, Belmont and most recently Freehold. Last year for his birthday present I took him to Vegas. Although it was only for three days we really bonded. These moments of togetherness are what I will always treasure.
Dad, I could go on all day with our stories but I just need to tell you that you that you were my mentor and my best friend. Where a lot of sons have said they have had a father, I can say I've had a dad. My dad suffered bravely with this disease for sixteen months and now thankfully, he is at rest. I would like to ask everyone here today that when you are home tonight, to get down on your knees and pray to G_d that he forever rests in peace.
The Pasmowitz family requests that memorial donations in Ronny's
honor be made to the charity of your choice or to: