Stephen Edward Ronco

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Stephen Edward Ronco

Stephen Edward Ronco, second child of Norma and the late Ercole Ronco of San Jose died Thursday morning, July 5 in the comfort of his home with loved ones by his side. Steve was born at San Jose Hospital on December 29, 1951 and was raised on a fruit ranch in the Berryessa area. His reverence for the tradition of family farming and gardening in the Santa Clara Valley lasted throughout his life.Steve is survived by his wife Stephanie, children Elizabeth (19), Alexandra (14) and Mario (5); siblings Christina Maurer (Ed), David (Liz) and twenty-one nieces and nephews that he loved very much. In addition to his immediate family, Steve will be missed by an extensive network of in-laws, friends, and colleagues.Steve attended Berryessa Elementary, Piedmont Junior High, and Piedmont Hills High School. In addition to his academic excellence, Steve played football, which he continued at San Jose City College and Santa Clara University, where he was a fast, powerful 6'4", 254-pound Defensive End.Steve's 30-year career with the San Jose Police Department was exemplary and distinguished. After graduation from the San Jose Police Academy, he became a reserve officer for two years. He was hired as a full-time officer in 1974, where he first worked patrol in San Jose's east side neighborhoods. Steve kept up his relationship with businesses and community organizations in this area throughout his career. Following his patrol assignment, Steve was selected for the MERGE program, where he spent four years before being promoted to Sgt. and then reassigned to the Bureau of Investigations. Steve proved himself as a resourceful Homicide Investigator and was quickly promoted to Lieutenant. As Lieutenant, he returned to the MERGE unit as commander. He served as commander of both the High Tech Crime Unit during a time of great expansion and of the Field Training Program before retiring in 2004.In 2001, he and fellow police veteran and loyal friend Ken Pitts founded Insight Group Inc., a private San Jose-based security firm that specializes in high tech crime. One of their first successful high profile cases was the notorious Wendy's "chili case." Because of Steve's natural ability to connect and collaborate with a broad range of professionals and Ken's keen administration skills, Insight Group's client list now includes some of Silicon Valley's most respected high tech companies, law firms, insurance companies and community organizations. Steve often volunteered personal time in support of his professional activities including PAL, Special Olympics and as president of the High Tech Crime Investigator's Association. Stephanie Ronco describes Steve as "the most physically, spiritually, and mentally fit person I've ever known." His enthusiasm for history, especially WWII and The Roman Empire kept him occupied on the weekends along with his love of crossword puzzles and growing tomatoes from seeds sent by relatives in northern Italy. Steve Ronco will be remembered fondly by the many people whose lives he touched as a man of quiet dignity, good humor and generosity. Steve cared passionately about his family, and believed deeply in his community, which he served long and well.Steve respectfully requests that family and friends consider a donation to one of the following San Jose schools in place of floral tributes: Presentation High School Principal's Fund (2281 Plummer Avenue, San Jose, 95125) or Sacred Heart Nativity School/Our Lady of Grace (310 Edwards Avenue, San Jose, 95110).A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday July 10th at 1:00 p.m. at Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph (80 South Market Street, San Jose) Internment at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery immediately following the ceremony.