Ronald "Big D" Dolinar

Ronald Dolinar, age 76 of Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, passed away from complications due to “Agent Orange” on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at his home with his family by his side. Known as “Big D” Ron was born on January 28, 1949, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of two children of William and Agnes (Smith) Dolinar.

Ron grew up in the Pleasant Hills area of Pittsburgh and graduated from Thomas Jefferson School in 1966. After high school, he enlisted in the US Army and served time in Vietnam during the Vietnam War with 2+ years of overseas service achieving the rank of Specialist E-5, which in today’s Army would make him a Sargeant. He worked for 50 years with the Local #66 Operating Engineers Union as a Heavy Equipment Operator. But one thing he loved the most, was at age 14 he became a Junior Fireman at the Pleasant Hills Volunteer Fire Department. That launched him into a Fire Fighter’s career that lasted 62 years from Pleasant Hills to Glassport #1 Volunteer Fire Department, to Liberty Borough Volunteer Fire Department where he served as the Chief and as the President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary on the Department’s Board.

In his spare-time he loved being at his camp in Tionesta, Pennsylvania, which he owned for over 40 years.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, William and Agnes. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathryn Marie (Resko) Dolinar; their daughter, Amy Larcinese also of Elizabeth Township; 2 granddaughters, Kailey and Addison Larcinese; his sister, Sherry (the late George) Semko of South Park, an uncle Tom (Nancy) Smith of South Park, & best friend Art Smith of Forward Twp, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit with his family on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 4 – 8 pm in the Stephen D. Slater Funeral Home 1701 Route 51 Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania 15025 (412-384-0350) www.stephendslater.com. There will be a Blessing Service in the funeral home on Saturday. August 9, 2025, at 11 am followed by a procession to Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, in Ron’s honor his family asks for donations to the Liberty Borough Volunteer Fire Department 900 Haslage Street McKeesport, Pennsylvania 15133. https://www.lbvfd.org/product/donate-to-lbvfd/89.