Ronald George Bliese

Mr. Ronald George Bliese Conway, SC
Mr. Ronald George Bliese of Conway, SC died Friday, October 4, 2024 at home with his family by his side. He was 84. He was born November 3, 1939 in New York, NY the son of the late George Bliese and the late Mary Bliese. Ronald and Karen were happily married for 63 years until her passing on July 21, 2023. He was the regional manager for 43 years at Hobart Food Equipment. A family statement read: Ron or "Rukus Ron" as we came to call him in his last month of life, was a riot– a man of business and hard work as much as a man of raunchy humor and joy. Above all else, though, he was a lover: of the finer things, of life, of pretzels and ice cream, of family and good times– someone that had his cake (or rather, ice cream) and ate it too. He lived a full life. He grew up in Elizabeth, NJ where he said he had a wonderful childhood alongside his sister, Marilyn, and the best parents he could ever ask for. It was also in Elizabeth where he met the love of his life, Karen. To convey his interest in her, Ron made the grand romantic gesture of running her over with his bicycle. When they graduated high school, Karen reserved an entire page in her yearbook for him, just for him to write: "Good luck. You'll need it –Ron" They married in December of 1960 as Ron started his career at Hobart. Shortly after, they had their first child, Dwayne, followed by Pamela and Steven. In his younger days, Ron was a charismatic go-getter that climbed the corporate ladder to regional manager at Hobart– a position in which he found great personal fulfillment, marked by a blue gemmed company ring he proudly wore until his final day of life. His job took him all over the country and allowed him to meet many people that became life-long friends. While he enjoyed his successful career, he loved being a father and later, a grandfather even more. In reflecting on time spent with family and friends he often said, "I really enjoy the hell out of you guys" and considered his family the greatest accomplishment of his life. In his retirement years, he was known for indulging in all of life's pleasures. Most notably, he bought a yacht that he named "Where's Grandpa?" and adorned with a custom decal depicting an old lifeguard scoping out a mermaid. Perhaps this act perfectly captured his essence– young at heart. He had many hobbies outside of his boat, though this was certainly his favorite. He loved mowing the lawn (even when it did not need mowing), dining out at restaurants with the best specials, mini-golfing with his grandkids, eating ice cream, and telling the same handful of stories from his Hobart days– all of this with a Diet Coke in hand. He told the same story about Piggly Wiggly supermarket so many times that anyone that has heard it instinctively says "Piggly Wiggly doesn't do it that way" anytime they pass one. In his passing, he leaves behind a rich legacy marked by humorous stories and a love so deep it can only be felt in our memories. He will be remembered for being as stubborn and hot-headed as he was generous and kind, for his wide smile and kind eyes, and for the way he lit up a room with his ridiculous sense of humor. He was one hell of a guy– the best brother, friend, husband, father, and grandfather any of us could have asked for. He always said, "life goes by in the flap of a bird's wing." Though he lived a long life, his passing will always feel untimely as no amount of time with him would have ever felt like enough. How lucky we are to have spent the flap of a bird's wing with him. He is now reunited with his sweetheart, parents, friends, and family.
Surviving are: his beloved children Dwayne Bliese and his wife Dominga "Mimi" Medina, Steven Bliese and his wife Terri, Pamela Odendahl and her husband Thomas, sister Marilyn Evan and her husband Joseph, grandchildren: Troy Bliese and his wife Kari, Phillip Bliese and his wife Toni, Ashley Rodriguez and her husband Nick, Justin Bliese, Alorah Bliese and her husband Drikus Kuyper, Sabrina Sienkiewicz and her husband Jacob, and Thomas Odendahl III, and 7 great grandchildren.
Friends and family are invited to visit on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Gray Parker Funeral Home, Inc. 100 E., Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Funeral arrangements are by the GRAY-PARKER FUNERAL HOME, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis. 845-856-5191. For additional information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.