Philip A. Ronca

Philip Anthony Ronca, 85, of Pipersville, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024, in St. Luke's Hospital, Quakertown.
Very connected to Bethlehem, PA, Philip was born there on March 23, 1938 to Louis and Florence (Fenon) Ronca. He graduated Liberty High School in 1956 and later in life became known as an expert in Bethlehem history. Growing up in the 1940s-50s he knew the area when there were still woods to roam and saw its development over the years.
Philip was a 3rd generation master woodworker and carpenter, building and overseeing thousands of construction projects throughout the Lehigh Valley. He later owned and operated Philip Ronca and Son Construction.
Philip was proud to have served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. He enlisted in 1959, completing basic training in Fort Dix, NJ and graduated jump school in Fort Campbell, KY. He was deployed to Puerto Rico during the Bay of Pigs conflict.
Philip lived life to the fullest. He had some adventurous hobbies, including flying and sometimes crashing ultralights, breaking-in horses, and performing stunts with other people's motorcycles. He enjoyed shooting guns, gardening, and making homemade love-it or hate-it pear wines, which he loved.
Philip was a loving and generous man with his family and friends. He is survived by his two children Mark (Carlie) Ronca and Pamela (Tony) Shumskas, and their children Paige (Jacob) Skrip, Danielle Shumskas, and Noah Shumskas, siblings Shirley Beringer, Marilyn Ronca, Louis (Carla) Ronca and Bonnie (Andrew) Hodge, as well as many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He is also survived by his partner Barbara Hoellen who generously cared for him in his final years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 15, in the Pearson Funeral Home, 1901 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA followed by burial in Bethlehem Memorial Park. Family and friends may call from 10:00 AM until the service begins.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the funeral fund may be sent to Pearson Funeral Home.
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