Ronald Roberts

Ronald Roberts of Browns Mill, N.J. Ronald Roberts of Browns Mills passed away peacefully at home after his fight with brain cancer on Saturday, September 15, 2012, with his wife and son by his side. Born in Mt. Holly, he was 66 years old and, spent most of his life in Browns Mills. He was predeceased by his parents William R Roberts and Rose Lindley Roberts. Ron is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Baum) of 44 years, his daughter Heather (Mike) Nakkar and three young grandsons, Abraham, Baha, and Ismail of Pleasant Valley, Mo., and his son Guy who resides at home. He is also survived by sisters Carolyn (Ward) Lange of Country Lakes, Browns Mills and Beverly Roberts of Burlington Twp., as well as his brother William H. Roberts of Berlin. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. Ron served in the U.S. Army from October 1964 to October 1968 as an MP. During his enlistment he met his wife Barbara that he married at Fort Meyer, Virginia, some months later. Ron was employed as a local truck driver for ABF until his early retirement at 55 from the Southampton terminal. Ron was an avid sports enthusiast. He loved fresh-water fishing in Browns Mills, the Delaware River or Lake Gaston, N.C., and especially for bass. He competed in various tournaments and was eager to teach his grandsons when they became older. Ron first started to play soccer for a Turkish team while he was in the Army stationed in Turkey. He played impromptu games with neighborhood kids until his children were old enough to play and he eventually became a soccer "dad", referee, coach and trainer to various recreation, girl and boy travel teams. Ron bowled in several men and co-ed leagues as well as different type of tournaments. He bowled recreationally with his wife for much of their married life. Ron also played baseball and football on local teams as a youngster and throughout his school years in Pemberton Township until he graduated in 1964. Ron was a volunteer for many of his years residing in Browns Mills. He served as a member of the PTA and spent several years with TAG and with the West Lake Shore Crime Watch. He also served on the Pemberton Twp Environmental Commission as a member and also as a chairman for a few years with projects that included water testing and community cleanups and represented the township with other environmental organizations within the state. Ron was outgoing and loved to dance (especially his James Brown routine), He had a great sense of humor and loved being with his family: his parents, children, siblings, and other close relatives and also wanted to spend as much time as possible with his grandsons. Relatives and friends of Ronald's family are invited to his viewing and visitation 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, September 21, at The Lankenau Funeral Home, 370 Lakehurst Road, Browns Mills, followed by a service at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Brain Tumor Association in memory of Ronald Roberts.