Ronald J. Refice PhD

Ronald J. Refice, PhD, of Clarks Summit, passed away Sunday morning after a long and courageous battle with heart failure. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Catherine Tolerico Refice. Ron faced each day with strength, courage, dignity, and humor until the very end. He loved making people laugh and always had a joke ready to go.

Ron was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 1942, to the late Edward J. and Iris Righi Refice. If Ron were here, he'd proudly tell you, "the same hospital Joe Biden was born in!"

He graduated from Scranton Central High School, earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The University of Scranton, and went on to his beloved University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!), where he received his Doctorate in Psychology. After graduating from KU, Ron and his family returned to Scranton, where he worked as Chief Psychologist at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan, NY; Director of Counseling at Keuka College in Keuka, NY; and later as Director of Psychology at Farview State Hospital.

After many years at Farview, he established Ronald J. Refice PhD and Associates. In addition to his work as a compassionate and skilled therapist, he became sought after by attorneys and judges across the region, providing expert testimony in countless cases over the years due to his knowledge and skills gained at Farview State Hospital. Ron was highly respected within the judicial community. Later in his career, Ron was honored to conduct approximately three hundred evaluations for veterans. Those evaluations helped veterans obtain the benefits they so rightly deserved and needed. This work was among the most meaningful and gratifying of his career. Ron was proud to serve as a member of the American Psychological Association, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, and the American College of Forensic Examiners.

Outside of his professional life, Ron was a man of many passions: a car enthusiast, DJ, pianist, pool cleaner, Steelers fan, Yankees fan, and diehard Kansas Jayhawks supporter. For many years, he was an avid swing dancer, swing dance DJ, and a proud founding member of the Electric City Swing Dance Society.

A scientist in a lab couldn't have designed a better psychologist, friend, husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, or uncle. As a psychologist, Ron was always on the clock. Even when patients could not afford treatment, he never turned them away.

Ron's greatest joy by far was spending time with his family. Everyone who knew him understood how proud and grateful he was of the beautiful and loving blending of his and Cathy's families over the past 40 years.

Ron is survived by his three children: Eddie Refice and wife Dr. Nannette Zale Refice, Stephanie Williams and husband RJ, and Chris Refice and wife Stephanie 2.0; along with his grandchildren Perry Williams and wife Mara, Emily Williams, Annie, Edward, and Amelia Refice. He is also survived by his brother Donald Refice and wife Renee, brother-in-law John Tolerico and wife Mary Kay, and many beloved nieces and nephews: Krissy Refice Quinn, Sara Tolerico Lynady and husband Chad, Ross Tolerico and wife Heather, Morgan Quinn, Lily, Ryder, and Sadie Lynady, Trace Tolerico, and the light of his life, Stella the Golden Doodle.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the incredible caretakers between Scranton and Philadelphia who provided Ron with the best care over the past several years, especially the past 14 months. Deep gratitude goes to the doctors, nurses, and staff who treated him like family - especially Dr. Monique Tanna, Dr. Todd Mendelson, Dr. Thomas Dwonczyk, and Liz and Angelo of Vital Care of Scranton.

The funeral will be Saturday from the Albert P. O'Donnell Funeral Home 2025 Green Ridge Street, Dunmore with a mass of Christian burial at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 15 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale. Interment Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. All those attending the funeral are asked to proceed directly to the church on Saturday morning. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter,967 Griffin Pond Rd, South Abington Township, PA 18411 www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com