Ronald Hermance

HERMANCE
Ronald Edmund, Jr., age 67, of Ridgewood, NJ, and North Palm Beach, FL, passed away on September 11th, 2014 from Leukemia. Ron, as he was known by his family and friends, was born in Batavia, NY, on July 16, 1947 to Ronald Edmund Hermance, Sr. and Claire Marshall Hermance. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Batavia and Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. Ron began his banking career in Western New York with Bankers Trust Company, then Goldome in Buffalo and Southold Savings Bank in Southold, NY, before starting with Hudson City Savings Bank of Paramus, NJ in 1988. He was promoted from Chief Operating Officer and President to Chief Executive Officer in 2002 and, in 2005, added the role of chairman to his title. In 1999, Ron spearheaded the bank's reorganization to a public company from a mutual savings bank. In 2005, under Ron's leadership, Hudson City raised $3.9 billion in equity capital by converting to full public ownership, marking what was at the time the seventh largest domestic public offering in history and the largest ever in United States banking history. Hudson City's growth under Ron led to inclusion of the bank in the S&P 500 index in 2007. Ron was the recipient of many awards; St. John Fisher College Bittner School of Business Excellence in Management Award in 2007, Mad Money's "George Bailey Banker of the Year" from Jim Cramer in 2008, and Best Managed Bank of 2007 by Forbes Magazine. He served on the board of directors of St. John Fisher College, Valley Hospital of Ridgewood, NJ, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. His many community affiliations include St. Elizabeth's Church of Ridgewood, NJ, the Chapel of the Good Shepherd of Chautauqua, NY, the YMCA of Ridgewood, and the Holley Center for Children of Hackensack, NJ. Ron is survived by the love of his life, Kris Brown Hermance, and his beloved children; his daughter Emily Hermance Spahr and her husband Nicholas Spahr, and granddaughter Charlotte Hermance Spahr; son Ronald Christopher Hermance and his wife Constance Winant Hermance; son Alexander Hermance. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Mary Claire and Richard Ketchum; his mother-in-law, Shirley Brown; his brother and sister-in-law Gary and Heidi Brown; nieces Haley and Madeline Brown; and dogs Lilly, Max, Derby and See See. Ron will be remembered by his family for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor, but, above all else, his love of and his deep devotion to his family. His family and friends will also remember his love of golf and will carry on the tradition of his unwavering loyalty to the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and New York Yankees. There was never a day in his life where he was not there for his family and friends, offering support, advice and unconditional love. Ron always made you feel like you were the most important person in the world and treated everyone with dignity and respect. Everyone who had the opportunity to know him will never be the same. He was a joy of a man and will be cherished forever. Family and friends may visit Tuesday, 4-8 PM at the Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood. Memorial Service Wednesday, 10 AM, at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood. NO FLOWERS PLEASE. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's memory are appreciated to any of the following organizations: St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450; Valley Hospital, 223 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood