Ronald Peter Hine

Ronald Peter Hine July 9, 1955 - November 29, 2008 NORWICH - I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death - Robert Fulghum Today we lost a father, a son, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, and a friend. He could fix anything but a broken heart. His grandchildren all watched their first ballgames in the "baby bullpen", that space between the couch and Gapie's belly. He took us on our first motorcycle rides and taught us how to change a tire. He told us that we would never be afraid of anyone in life because no one was tougher than our Dad...and he was right. He spent his career as a mechanic at power plants. First at Millstone then at Wheelabrator Technologies in Bridgeport and Lisbon, CT. You may not have known our dad, but every time you turned on a light he was one of the guys making sure you had power. He leaves behind innumerable good friends, a brotherhood of men, who all wish they had as much time with their families as they spent together providing for them. He had three daughters. He taught us how to fish, build a fire, and drive a car. We gave him grey hair and grandchildren. Each time one was born, he never forgot the flowers. Dad always made us laugh, usually at the expense of some underpaid fast food employee. He'd get his hand "stuck" in the take out window; flirt with gay men in P-Town, created family jokes that never ended. Nothing amazed us more than his transformation from our strong tough father to adoring gentle grandfather. His grandchildren are his legacy and living testament to the Hine family motto, "We don't die we multiply." Today he joins in Heaven his high school sweetheart and wife Rhonda Hine, his father Harold Hine, his grandparents Henry and Agnes Pawlowski & Anne and Raymond Hine. Left grieving his loss is his mother Agnes Hine, eight brothers and sisters who will take to their graves the secret of the Jarts, Agnes and Doug Sheppard, Harold and Christine Hine, Darryl and Betsy Hine, Gerald and Sue Hine, Donald and Marianne Hine, Annie and Russ Brown, Arnold and Diane Hine, Henry and Vicci Hine. Three daughters Laura and Jerry Hine-Cermak, Melissa Hine and Heather Hine. Nine grandchildren Wesley Hine, Pamela Hine, Jerry Cermak, Dylan LaMothe, Destiny LaMothe, Althea Hine-Cermak, Jacob LaMothe, Trinity Hine-Cermak, and Meadow Hine-Cermak. Many nieces and nephews, and untold friends made along the way. Dad we love you....The great chefs of Poland can't get you now.