Ronald Mucha

Dear Family and Friends,

Ronald Rowe Mucha, born in Neptune New Jersey, February 8, 1937, passed away in Gulfport, Mississippi on July 4, 2021.

Ron's parents, Joseph Mucha and Margaret Rowe Mucha Slimm, New Jersey, are deceased as is his sister Gayle Mucha Cimino, Pennsylvania. He has a niece, Peggy Cimino Brancheau, Pennsylvania and a nephew, C.J. Cimino, New Jersey.

I am writing on behalf of Ron and his family, daughter Mary Margaret Mucha, son Michael Gannon Mucha, daughter-in-law Cecily Cummings, granddaughter Mirabella Annelise Mucha and myself Linda Gannon Mucha. The thoughts I share here are part Ron's and part mine. I hope they bring some happiness to Ron's passing.

Ron was born and raised in New Jersey and has family there. After Ron's retirement we chose to live here on the coast and Ron claimed the whole Gannon family as his own.
His sister-in-law, Joann Gannon Killegrew, deceased, was a dear friend. Her five children, Angela, Kent, Kevin, Melissa and Melinda were in his thoughts shortly before he died as he asked about each one. Angela's son, John Ryland, was special to Ron. He always enjoyed when John would stop at our pier and visit. Ron enjoyed stories of John's boating and fishing adventures.

Another sister-in-law, Mary Lillian Gannon Loney Eason, was a favorite. She actually introduced us. He loved Lilly's visits that gave him opportunities to remember happy days and her first husband, Charlie. Ron and Charlie were good friends before Charlie passed away. Lilly's and Charlie's daughters, Ann King and Daphne Loney were close to Ron. Ann's and husband Jim's university years at USM helped prepare us for when our two kids would go to college. Ann's daughter Katie's visits were special for Ron and he enjoyed seeing Ann's grandson, Charlie, on videos. He got a kick out of Ann's son Bobby's proud facial expressions when handling Baby Charlie! And how Baby Charlie smiled at his mom, Alyson.

Daphne's bar and restaurant in New Orleans hosted a huge Mardi Gras party with a marching band that Ron attended. He talked about that event to anyone who would listen. He felt normal, carefree, and with a little help, danced that day. We loved to dance!

Ron's brother-in-law Joseph Gannon Jr. and his wife, Patricia and their children Joe Gannon and Julie Merry were dear to Ron. He enjoyed Joe and Pat's visits and showing them his latest paintings and praying the rosary together. Perhaps the closest brother-in-law Ron had was like the younger brother Ron never had, David Gannon, who passed away. David, his wife Charlotte, and their daughter Adrienne were close family and friends. Ron loved following Adrienne's softball and university years. He was very proud of her and she was very important to him as were her mother, Charlotte, and Charlotte's mother, Shirley Piazza. Ron was surrounded by people who loved him, he knew that and loved them back.

As a father, Ron was loving, dedicated, fun and an example of how an honest, principled life could be lived. There was nothing he wouldn't do to make his children strong, happy and loved. From PTA President and Boy Scout leader to car mechanic, from vacation planner to tutor and spiritual guide, he was always there for his children.

His career in the United States Air Force and General Management Service, and working at the Army Ammunition Plant and for Goodwill Industries lasted over 45 years. While awarded many distinguished metals and various honors and serving on many Boards, Ron's career was about service to others more than any other motivation. He loved life and shared that love with everyone he could.

Community was important to Ron. From high school years at Princeton High School, university years at Rutgers and Pepperdine Universities through service to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ron was there to serve however he could.

Always ready to become involved, he had a fun side that made Mardi Gras a family tradition which we celebrated for over 20 years. As a duke to Mary Margaret when she was a maid in the Krewe of Hera to him being a member of the Krewe of Thoth in New Orleans, Ron loved life and celebrated it.

Ron traveled through 47 countries in Europe and the Middle East and served in Southeast Asia. He sang solo in the Messiah at Gulfport's First United Methodist Church and attained the highest degrees in both the Masons and the Knights of Columbus. He never met a stranger or turned away someone in need. These experiences gave Ron appreciation for all cultures, traditions, and in general- life.

Ron was the first Scarlet Knight mascot at Rutgers University, an NCAA wrestler, played tennis, polo, racquetball, and sailed. As President of the Mississippi Special Olympics, he started the Mississippi sailing sport for that organization at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, taking that group to national and international competition. His athletes won gold, silver and bronze medals nationally and in the World Games in Ireland. Ron was so proud of how successful his athletes were and so appreciative of their parents' support.

Ron could fix or build anything and if first he didn't succeed, he'd work at the task until he did. His tenacity and perseverance were remarkable and served as an example for all who knew him. No hill was too high to climb, and this positivity served us both well after his stroke in 2005. Determination and grit, humor and love were constant inspirations.

Ron's favorite treats were cookies and his niece Angela's apple pie! Seafood gumbo was his favorite food. Blue oxford, button down shirts, a blue blazer and khaki pants were his favorite clothes. He wore Brut cologne for the 52 plus years I knew him, regardless of what hot cologne hit the market; he just loved Brut.

Ron built three homes. One was in Panama City, Florida, one in Bayou Oaks, Gulfport and one on Big Lake, Biloxi that we lost in Katrina. Days after Katrina, August 29, 2005, Ron had a severe stroke and doctors gave him six months to live. They didn't know Ron.

We survived as a family for over a month living in the Singing River Hospital's waiting room and later the parking lot in a pop-up camper borrowed from Michael's friends, Kim and Nick. When Ron had recovered enough to relocate and receive intensive physical therapy at Spain Rehabilitation in Birmingham, Michael's friend, Ed, coordinated the transport and volunteered as EMT support for his ambulance. When it came time to move on, Mary Margaret took over and made the move happen, finding us an apartment, furniture, and a new life in Fairfax, Virginia. Finally, when physical therapy had done all it could for Ron, Mary Margaret and Michael again helped us move home and set up a FEMA trailer in downtown Gulfport. We could not appreciate those angels of mercy more for the support they gave as our lives changed. Thank you all for your amazing help in our time of crisis.

Little did we know how important Charlotte and David's lot on 20th Street would be! For the next two years, Michael and Mary Margaret were constant partners helping us rebuild our lives and our home in Biloxi. While we rebuilt and then lived there for 13 years, the effort for me to manage that home and Ron was taking its toll. Michael and Cecily offered the home next door to them. This move provided the support we needed and the enjoyment of our granddaughter and nearby family. No words can express our appreciation for this support. So, until the end, Ron was surrounded by his family and the love that sustained him through his illness. Over 15 years later at age 84, he succumbed to dementia and general health failure.

There are so many thank-you's to give!
Thank you, Father Greg Barras for your love, caring and guidance with Ron and our family.
Thank you for the expertise, love and efforts of Ron's dear doctor of nearly twenty years, Dr. Madgy Mikhail. I believe the Lord sent us Dr. Mikhail as we needed intelligent, caring, honest medical help and he provided it for us regardless of day of week or time of day.

One of Ron's earlier Hospice nurses has stood by us for years, Kera Maye, now with Tradition Health. Nurse Kera is there for me night or day. Her wise medical advice and truly caring nature has been a blessing for us.
Catherine Kirksey was the first non-family member I felt I could leave Ron with...five years after his stroke. We love Catherine for the kindness, knowledge, and caring that she shared for years.
Tydionya "Ty" Bowie is truly one of our own. When Ron called "Ty, Ty, Ty," no one else would do. Bettie Hart has the right last name. Her heart is full of love, and we could not have climbed many hills without her loving help.
A special thank you for our niece, Angela Killegrew Ryland Moores. Angela means angel and that she is. Her social worker experience helped educate me and her love sustained me. She is truly a special woman.
Thank you Canon Hospice inpatient caregivers. When I faced the reality that I could not provide the 24 hour nursing care Ron needed, they stepped in and saw to his needs. We were welcome to be with Ron 24/7 and were always informed, treated with respect and kindness. Ron was well cared for by the people at Canon.

There were many others who cared for Ron during his 15 plus years of illness. I thank them all and wish them good health and happiness.

Lastly, I want to say to you all, I believe in soul mates. I was blessed in 1969 when I met a bright, handsome, creative, energetic, fun-loving man. From racing cars in Europe to volunteering at an orphanage in Laos and traveling the world, he decided to have a family life with me. He was my best friend, my lover, my confidant, and my rock of support. Through all of the hills we climbed he loved me dearly, as I did him. He was able to know Mike's and Cecily's daughter, Mirabella Mucha and was so proud of how bright and beautiful his granddaughter is. Ron loved their dog, Fin, and cat, Solo. He considered Mary Margaret's three dogs, Bitsy Belle, Jack and Wilson as important as our 16-year-old dog, Mandy. Ever ready to slip them treats, his stealth was remarkable!

I will miss Ron terribly and cannot imagine life without him. I will remember him as the precious person he was who loved us all unconditionally.

Sincerely, and thank you all for your support over these many years,

Linda Gannon Mucha

Funeral services were held on July 9, 2021 at Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport (www.riemannfamily.com). A special thank you to the staff at Riemann Family Funeral Home and especially Donna Fox whose support and extra effort made this journey a lot easier. In memory of Ronald Mucha, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast at 2214 34th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501.