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Ronald Mintz Obituary
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June 4, 2014
Your first Anniversary in Heaven Ronnie.
I know you are watching from above. Always and Forever My Friend........
May 7, 2014
It's almost a year since you passed.Miss you my friend.....
November 24, 2013
Such wonderful memories of you!
October 10, 2013
I think about you every day
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August 11, 2013
I miss you..
Glenn Mintz
July 8, 2013
My father was the happiest and most content person I ever met. He always saw the glass half full, he was so optimistic, and he just loved everyone around him. He was full of life, full of energy and happiness, and he showered that energy . . . . that happiness . . . . on everyone he met, from strangers at the bagel place, to his beloved family. Let's be honest . . . . if you really think about it . . . . who didn't love my dad? He was so unselfish . . . and I never heard a single negative word ever said about my dad.
My father was a Brooklyn boy - growing up in Williamsburg with his older brother Neil and his parents Hilda and Harry. He was very close with all of them and had a great childhood, but he had a very special bond with his mother, who he spent years of quality time with . . . . especially after Neil had moved out. Hilda and Ronnie would talk for hours on end, and he was incredibly devoted to her for all of her life. I guarantee you that if heaven has a phone book, Hilda is the first person my dad looks up.
When he reached adulthood, my father decided to pursue education, to share his knowledge with others and to help mold and nurture children, who he absolutely loved. For several decades, my father taught thousands of children physical education, and trained and coached hundreds of children who developed into track and field stars in high school, college and beyond. He was admired by everyone in the schools he taught in, from the children to the teachers, from the janitors to the administrators. He won so many awards, including teacher of the year, that the plaques could not cover the walls of our basement. He was universally known as the most popular teacher amongst students and faculty.
My father's life changed forever when he fell head over heels in love with Sondra Lee Sandberg nearly a half century ago. Once they met in October, 1964, and married only months later, they literally never left each other's side. It's not a contest, but in all seriousness, everyone who knows my parents knows that their relationship was very special. They never wanted to be without each other - not for a second. It was a love affair that never stopped, it never diminished, and it only grew over the years. They did everything for each other, for their children and for their grandchildren. My father dedicated his life to making my mother happy. He showered her with gifts as if he had the salary of an investment banker – and bought things even if he didn't have the money for it at that moment. Nothing was too good for his Sandy. My Mom would say she liked a two thousand dollar pocketbook in passing . . . . and then he'd buy it for her like he was buying a can of soda.
My dad taught me right from wrong, taught me the value of hard work, and even though he favored Jill a little bit because she always got better grades than me in school . . . . when I finally grew up, he often told me how proud he was of my success in the business world - especially my work ethic . . . . . . which kind of made up for his having favored Jill all those years. Once I found my calling, he would brag about me to no end. I swear he would go up to random people and just point towards me and say “That's my son, and he's the number one salesman at Verizon.” I was so happy to share any success I had with my dad.
I've been told that I'm a kind of a mini-me of my Dad. We're both big lanky lefties who have worn the same cologne for decades; . . . . we're both loud guys who take over every room we're in; . . . . we both like to give people big bear hugs that actually injure the people being hugged.
And I want to admit that I have a lot of “Glenn sayings” that I stole from him!
Like:
1) When I say . . . . “Take your time but hurry up”; or
2) When I have an empty plate after dinner and I ask the waiter . . . “Can you wrap this?”; or
3) How I say . . . . “Keep in touch” to everyone – even if I don't know them; or
4) When he'd say: “You're my second favorite person” – which then causes that person to respond, . . . “Who's your first favorite?” And then my dad would say, “Everybody else.”
We're all shocked and we're devastated and all that, and we can cry and mope and be depressed and ask "Why?" or "Why him?" or "Why Now?" We're never going to know the answer to any of those questions - at least not until we meet up with him in heaven, but for now, I want to tell you what MY DAD was:
MY DAD WAS . . . the New York Friggin Yankees, the New York Football Giants and the New York Knickerbockers. He was a plate of turkey steak at Ben's Deli. He was the penny slot machines at the Borgata. He was the Colgate Womens' Games at Madison Square Garden.
He was the guy in the diner who would take a small piece of the loaf of bread on the table, and then another, and then another, and then another, until 7 minutes went by and the entire loaf was gone before anybody noticed! He was the biggest Costco fan, who bought enough bulk packages of 24 razor blades to shave ZZ Top for the next 20 years. He'd also buy enough bulk bottles of mouthwash to give a small country great breath for a decade. He had the sexy scent of Claiborne Sport cologne mixed with coffee, and he had a smile wider than Patrick Ewing's. He had the neatest handwriting of any adult male in the Country . . . and my Dad was never late – for anything.
He was always early – to the point where you wanted to say, “Hey Ronnie, the party calls for 8 o'clock, what the hell are you doing here at 6 ?” That's why it's really not ironic that Ronnie left us early. He was ALWAYS early. But Dad, this is the one time we all wanted you to be late!
My dad was a man who loved having a routine – he'd go to the same bagel store, the same diner, the same Dunkin Donuts. He loved chatting with the same people at these places. He was very comfortable in his routines.
He was a delicious man, who everyone wanted to eat up with a spoon. He lived for his grandchildren. I will never forget his face when he first met his first grandchild, Nicole, . . . the man didn't stop smiling for a month. For the first years of her life, he and my mom set stroller walking records. There wasn't a street in Fort Lee that Nicole didn't see, as my parents would walk her for hours and hours. And how proud he was of the young lady Nicole is blossoming into before our eyes. He couldn't get over her “supermodel height” and her unbelievable athletic ability. He followed her travel basketball as if she was playing for the Knicks.
And the look on my Dad's face when he heard those words “It's a BOY!”, and he realized he was gonna get that Mintz name to the next generation thanks to Jared. My dad could not get enough of Jared's all around athletic ability and his competitive drive to succeed. He was convinced that his flag-football and soccer-stud grandson was going to get a full basketball scholarship to a division one school. He always said my kids got their athletic skills from Melanie – and he was probably right!
He was crazy about his grand-daughters Amanda and Carly, and loved seeing them in action, whether it was gymnastics, dancing or their many successes in school.
He was so proud of his baby girl Jill, his pride and joy. And he was ecstatic when she married Brian, who was truly like a son to him. He loved his older brother Neil, his sister in law Mona and his brother-in-law Jerry and sister-in-law Susan; and his machatunim – Mike & Iris, and Jeff & Ronnie. He crammed more love in that big heart of his in 71 years than anyone could in two thousand years on this Earth.
He knew and loved Melanie ever since she was a little girl . . . . . . and he always rooted for us to end up together . . . . and he finally got his wish when she married me. He was so happy to have my adorable sixth grade girlfriend from Paula Lane - as his daughter-in-law.
My dad always tried to give us whatever we wanted or needed. Not just the material things, like getting me a red Acura to match Lich's white Acura . . . . Or when he'd get me me egee socks, Tommy Hilfiger shirts, penny loafers and mock turtlenecks in every color, so I could walk around like a 1980s fashion stud.
But it was also the non-material things, like giving me advice on school, work and life in general. Because he went to work early and came home from school when he did, I was able to spend a lot of time with my dad - a lot more than most. He would hang out with me and my friends, like he was one of us. Our driveway hoop became the social center of the neighborhood every day.
Most of the other dads came home late, but there was Ronnie, shooting hoops with Jeremy, Hill, Hoff, Weiner Lurie; . . . . or reminding Hendlin that their joint March 18 birthday was coming up; . . . . . . . or having a catch with Byers or Liebo. He was just always there - he was more than just a dad, he was my best friend – and it was like he was everyone's best friend. And it didn't stop when I was a kid . . . . . . he was pals with the Oneonta guys like Russell, Brett & Randy, the Verizon guys, and he bonded with Rodney and the Wayne guys . . . it was everyone. If you were friends with Glenn Mintz, you had to be friends with Ronnie – he was part of the package. We really were a team.
I want my mother to live forever, but one day, when it's her time, I know my father will be waiting for her with the same excitement he had every time he saw his Sandy, . . . . to sit down for some of her famous chicken cutlets, . . . . . to turn on and watch the Yankee game together, . . . . . . . and to look down from heaven proudly on the family that HE built, the family that HE raised, the family that HE supported with so much love over all these years.
You did good daddy. You did real, real good. I'll always love you.
shermaine smith
June 25, 2013
mr mintz great man great coach who care about his runner we were his kids he love us alway i rember him u were the best alawys thank u for beleaveing in me always love u forever i rembering u alway at colgate u said get in that heat to beat that person for me it was a close race i gonna miss u sip love alway shermaine smith
June 24, 2013
If ever a man was truly loved and respected by all who knew him, Ronnie was this man. So many wonderful memories -- miss him dearly!
June 23, 2013
Mr Mintz you will be missed you were my favorite coach. You saw a special kind of talent in me at the age of 8. Because of you I made history and found something I love to do. You created a track & field beast which gave me the opportunity to experience being in news papers, Trophies, scholorships, etc... I love you sooo much only if I had found you sooner. Truly an Amazing man/miracle worker. Until we meet again , TARIA FULLER
1st place runner
Taria Fuller
June 23, 2013
Mr Mintz you will be missed you were my favorite coach. You saw a special kind of talent in me at the age of 8. Because of you I made history and found something I love to do. You created a track & field beast which gave me the opportunity to experience being in news papers, Trophies, scholorships, etc... I love you sooo much only if I had found you sooner. Truly an Amazing man/miracle worker. Until we meet again , TARIA FULLER
Mr.Mintz and my daughter Jalynn in 2011 at PS69 we loved you dearly xoxo
jacqueline pabon
June 19, 2013
Selicia Adams
June 14, 2013
Mr. mintz will be missed. A great coach a great father and a great man. God bless his family and may he rest in peace.
Natasha Ayres(Reynolds)
June 14, 2013
Mr. Mintz will truly be missed. He took part is shaping the lives of many girls and molded them into great athletes and thriving adults.
R.I.P Mr. Mintz
Eboni Davis
June 14, 2013
Mr.Mintz entered my life when I was seven years old at PS.72. This man was amazing and truly took me under his wing I was devastated to hear the news. He took care of all of his track and field girls and truly push and encouraging us. It was like yesterday me and Michelle was running at the Colgate women's games with him. He always use to tell me anything worth having is worth fighting for. I use the saying at age 31 to get me through. He will always be loved and never forgotten. A beautiful man, coach, advisor, educator, and spirit lord I pray you bless his soul like he has blessed so many lives. With all my love may god touch his wife Sonya and children in this time of need.
Eboni Davis
June 14, 2013
Mr.Mintz was amazing I love him, felt sad all day yesterday after I heard the news. He groomed me to run and pushed me to amazing limits, he always use to tell me anything worth having is worth fighting for. May god bless this beautiful man, educator, coach spirit. You will truly be missed but never forgotten.
He helped us get to #1
Noemi Niskanen
June 12, 2013
I believe I took this picture and was much shorter at the time. Full of energy.
Noemi Niskanen
June 12, 2013
Shevon 'Out-to-Lunch' Quarles
June 12, 2013
I am completely devastated to hear that Mr. Mintz has passed. He was my gym teacher and first cheerleading coach back when I was in PS 72 (1990). He LOVED his kids! He was such a wonderful man and it was such an honor to have known him. May he forever rest in peace. His 'Dorney Hornets' will never forget him!
Lisa Nunez
June 12, 2013
I was a student at PS72 many, many years ago I will never forget Mr. Mintz and all he did for me to always push me to do my best, I will always remember you and may you rest in peace.
Lisa Nunez (Acworth, GA)
Michelle Cruz
June 12, 2013
I was a student to Mr. Mintz at ps 72 at the age of 5 he took me under his wing to make a great track star. He was not only my gym teacher and my track coach he was like a father to me! This man would always put his tracks girls first! He will truly be missed!!! I will miss u Mr. Mintz Love You ,you will be in my heart forever
Noemi Niskanen
June 12, 2013
Sorry to hear this sad news about Mr. Mintz. I will never forget him. He had a passion for sports and he always provided encouragment. I have a picture that I will share once I am able to scan it. Rest in peace Mr. Mintz you will never be forgotten in the Niskanen household.
Nicole Soares
June 12, 2013
I remember Mr. Mintz since I was 8 years old; I am now 41. He alongside Singer, and Goldberg were there to teach us the importance of hard work, fun, and the meaning of team work. He always had something funny to say and was protective over his team.. Mr. Mintz you will be sorely missed. Please watch over us and my condolences to Sondra, and the entire Mitz family... Nicole Soares - Bronx, NY
Harry Singer
June 9, 2013
Ron was an extraordinarily generous man, full of energy, humor and dedication to his hundreds and hundreds of "children".
I met Ron when he was teaching at PS 72, and gathering up an outstanding list of future track stars; one year, almost all of the Colgate Finalists in the Elementary A and B Hurdles at Madison Square Garden were girls Ron had trained or introduced to Hurdles !! Many continued in track with great success, going on to high school (Yvonne and Tricia reaching the NY State Championship level) and college, many on scholarships, and especially Yvonne going to the OLYMPICS !!
He always found time and energy for his girls, and it was an honor, privilege and, mostly, a joy to have spent so many years with him. He changed the lives of sooo many girls, as he showed them another path to life goals.
His wife, Sondra, children, Glenn and Jill, grandchildren and family should be very proud of Ron, the life he lived and the many ways he affected the lives of so many people.
Harry Singer, Rayettes Girls Track Coach, and friend
Charles Goldberg
June 9, 2013
Ron was a a fine man who helped many children in his role as an educator and track coach. He was a man who loved his job and his family. It was an honor to know him.
David Gonzalez
June 8, 2013
I am a student at P.S.69, and let me just say, I love you Mr.Mintz. I met you in first grade, and didn't know you well. It wasn't until 5th grade when you touched my heart. You were hilarious. Even when I wasn't feeling the best, it was your words of wisdom that touched me. That was what we all loved about you. You had great hopes for me, and now, in your honor, I WILL achieve them. You will be remembered by the students here at P.S.69, past, AND present. I guarantee that. You will ,and are loved Mr.Mintz, Rest In Peace.
June 7, 2013
The love and friendship that Mr. Mintz has shown me the past ten years will last forever in my heart. At P.S. 69 he was my other half....taking my class and i on road runner trips, helping us with math and testing, and simply sitting with us during free time to just "chill" as we called it. His jokes made me smile when I was down and his strong voice of positivity will remain with me always. I love you Mr. Mintz. With love and comfort to the family, Miss Macli
YVONNE HARRISON
June 6, 2013
Mr. Mintz,
I am forever indebted to Mr. Mintz, who spotted me at the age of "8" at P.S. 72. It was then he noticed my talent in track & field. He believed in me, trained me, and encouraged me to become an Olympic Athlete. I have never met a loving, caring teacher and coach. Mr. Mintz you changed my life forever. I love and appreciate you. May God comfort your wife (Sondra) your son (Glenn) your daughter (Jill) and the entire family. My prayers are with you. Loving you always, YVONNE HARRISON
June 6, 2013
Mr.Mintz touched the hearts of many people my children will truly miss him. My daughter and son have been truly blessed to have womeone like him in there lives, and will always remember how great he was. His memory will live forever in them. R.I.P Mr. Mintz you will be truly missed by all.
Denise DeAloe/Cook
June 6, 2013
Ron Mintz was a wonderful teacher to my two children, as well as a friend to me. The Parent Teacher Association in the school worked closely with him to make his job easier, and he would make an effort to help us out whenever we needed him. He loved the children and his job and I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I hope the memories of Mr. Mintz remain with his students throughout the years. I am sure he changed the life of many children who had the good fortune to have him as a teacher. Rest in Peace Ronnie.
June 5, 2013
Ron was the nicest, most generous person I've ever known. You could always rely on him if you needed anything--best friend I've ever had. May he rest in peace.
June 5, 2013
He will be truly missed he was an inspiration to the children. R.I P my condolicis
June 5, 2013
Sandy, Glenn, Jill and family, I have the most wonderful memories growing up next door to the Mintz family. Memories of Ronnie will always make me smile. I am so sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and love are with you at this most difficult time. All my love, Julie
kisha figueroa
June 5, 2013
It was a privilege to have known him. I pray that the family take comfort in knowing how much he was loved by those he worked with.
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