Ronald S. Zaidlicz

LEE ; Ronald S. Zaidlicz, 61, died of a heart attack in his home in Lee on Friday. The following is a description of his tattoos:

Right Bicep ; Peace Sign and Horseshoe.

Above all ; Ron was a peaceful man. Known for his compassion, benevolence and tenderheartedness ; he was a fierce advocate for the needy and disenfranchised. Especially animals. His life work was the betterment and humane treatment of all walks of life. He was awarded a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine from The University of Illinois ; or as he called it ; the big campus. He used his expertise to open his own veterinary practice, co-founded the National Organization for Wild American Horses and started the Wild Horse-Inmate Program in Colorado, where inmates learned to train and care for horses. Today, the USDA sorely misses Ron, where he was a supervising veterinary officer.

Right Forearm ; Eagle and Native American Dreamcatcher.

Decide what you want. Believe it will happen. And you shall have it. Ron firmly believed this. He refused to put his destiny in anyone's hands but his own. And while he believed anything was possible, he also lived by a code. He had a tremendous sense of integrity, ethics and responsibility ; and he lived to the letter of the law. Freedom and pride were also paramount themes of Ron's life. He served in the U.S. Army as a young man and had great respect and admiration for all who served.

Left Forearm ; The Road.

No part of this country is a stranger to Ron. He was born in Chicago on March 9, 1947, to Alice and Richard Zaidlicz and was joined by his younger sister Kathy. Although Ron's journeys took him far from the Windy City, his love for Chicago beef, smoking on the porch and Vienna Hot Dogs never left him. But above all, this is where he found the love of his life, Diane. Together, the young couple started a new life and a new family. First came Jennifer, Ron's true pride and joy ; then Stephanie, forever his baby. The inseparable foursome bounced from the mountains of Colorado to Tennessee and finally settled in New Hampshire. The fact the slogan "Live Free or Die" never suited anyone better than Ron, is entirely coincidence. In Lee, he found a brotherhood as a volunteer at the fire department ; where he served as a fireman for 16 years. Ron truly had an impact wherever the road took him and given the choice, he traveled it on his Harley, with Diane holding on tight.

Left Bicep ; "Good Luck. Good Journey."

This is his farewell to all of us ; as a cherished husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, colleague, friend and citizen. But especially to his new grandson and spitting image, Oscar, whose journey is just beginning. Born just five weeks ago, little Oscar may never understand the depths of his grandfather's impact on his life. But, somehow, we think he's going to love Vienna Hot Dogs.

Friends may call Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Road (Route 4), Lee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer St., Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a nonprofit of your choice. To share in remembrance of Ron, please visit http://web.me.com/stephy/RSZ/RSZ.html.

Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits