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Ronald Rolfe Obituary
Born in New London, he was a resident of Glenside, Pa. He was a 1960 graduate of Waterford High School.
Ron was the loving husband of Carole (Sipe), father of Michael (Lisa), Steven (Patti Clark) and Daniel (Amy Buchwald) Woodburn; grandfather of four grandchildren, Amber, Rachel, Alexander and Fiona Woodburn; son of Helen Rolfe of Waterford; and the brother of Randall (Denise) and Richard (Debbie) Rolfe, Candace Grimes (George) and Judith Martin (Wayne).
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Rd. (at Susquehanna Rd.), Abington, PA 19001 Int. Hillside Cem. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at North Hills Country Club, 99 Station Ave., North Hills, PA 19038 and after 9 a.m. on Friday at Abington Presbyterian Church.
The Rolfe family will have a memorial service in honor of Ron, details to follow in a future edition of The Day.
Donations in his memory to Soaring Eagle, 745 Indian Trail, P.O. Drawer 879, Billings, MT 59103-0879 would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements William R. May Funeral Home Glenside, North Wales, Pa. (www.mayfuneralhome.com).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Rolfe
Walt & Carolyn Kohler
July 26, 2010
Carole,
I am very sorry I was not able to make the services for Ron, I was out of town. Please accept my deepest condolences. Both Carolyn and myself have nothing but the fondest memories of Ron. He was a true gentleman.
July 24, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Ronnie's family. I was shocked to hear of Ron's passing. I'm so glad I had a chance to talk with him at the 1960 WHS Class Reunion in June. We talked about his passion and success of becoming a professional golf player and teacher. He was a kind and friendly classmate. He will be missed. Lynda Brown DeVivo, Waterford, CT & Georgia
Stephen Griffis
July 24, 2010
Carole,
I really can't find the words to express to express how shocked and sorry I am for your loss. Ronnie was a gem of a person and I'll always remember how kind and funny he was to me when I was a child. Caroline remembered him immediately when I told her that my Uncle Ronnie had gone to Heaven to be with God. She asked who would teach her to play golf. They only met once or twice but he left another with fond memories... Ronnie will be missed by many.
God Bless you and your family.
Ron & Barbara Bugbee
July 24, 2010
I was fortunate to know,grow and play sports with Ron. He was a friend who was filled with humor and generous to a fault.
I will truely miss Ron.
July 22, 2010
To Carole and family....we're so sorry to just learn tonight of Ronnie's untimely passing! A week ago tonight we were chatting at the Shenny Caddy Reunion about how fortunate we've been...the places and friends we've known over the years since growing up next to one another in Waterford and enjoying our love for golf. So many great memories of NLCC and Waterford... I'm thankful for Bob Ross, Tom Edwards and all involved with hosting the Shenny Caddy Reunion because this event allowed Ronnie and I to reconnect yearly and have a good time catching up which I always looked forward to. A nice man and a wonderful childhood buddy!!!
Our condolences to the family and all his friends around the country. Del and Georgette Kinney, Great Barrington, Ma
Steve DiGiovanna
July 22, 2010
I will always remember Ron as one of the funniest and most generous people from my past. Spent a couple weeks with Randy and Ron and his family in PA back in 1975. He taught me lots about how to caddie, but mostly how to have fun. Those will always be great memories. My deepest sympathy to the whole Rolfe family.
Janice (Beebe) England
July 22, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Ronnie's family. I am so glad I got to see him at our 50th WHS reunion in June. Fondest memories of baseball games in Waterford, CT.
Tracey Cinder
July 22, 2010
Carole, our hearts go out to you and your family with the untimely and sad loss of our friend and neighbor, Ron. Bruce Ave. won't be the same without him. Ron was always there with a kind word, candy or some baseball cards or fun sports stuff for the kids. He was a great friend and will be missed.
Alfred Schenk
July 22, 2010
Carole - I was shocked to hear about Ron's passing! We had just talked to both of you at the WHS reunion and were taken in by Ron's and your outgoing natures and Ron's good fortune to be able to make a career out of what he loved to do. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family!
Eleanor Barton
July 21, 2010
Carole - I am so saddened by the news regarding your wonderful husband. I only knew him for a short while, but he was a really nice individual. My son Jeff & his wife Lisa & their daughter Mia are going to really miss him as he was a great friend to them. He will be truly missed by
all who knew him. My prayers are with
you and your family.
Eilleen Rolfe Weinsteiger
July 21, 2010
Uncle Ronnie, You will always be remembered for your smile and generous mannerisms. Thanks for always supporting the sports side to us all. The tennis rackets, the clubs, the clothes. You were an inspiration to us all.
Larry and Kathy Demers
July 21, 2010
Dear Carol,
So very sorry to of your loss. We will always be grateful to Ron for our start in the golf business and being so kind to us in our young years in Philadelphia. The golf shop stories will keep us laughing forever.
Love to all of you.
Phillip Marks
July 21, 2010
I knew Ron via Robin Roberts Jr. as they would travel together to the Philadelphia Sports Collectibles shows. A perfect gentleman. He did not talk much about Danny's career as we were always "gabbing" about the Phillies and Athletics of old days. I grew up in Abington township and there was always talk of local golf courses and golf history. I want to offer my sincere condolences to the family on their loss.
July 20, 2010
Carol, we are so sorry for your loss. He was not just a pro at North Hills but a friend as well who did so many good things for my family and myself. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Tom and Barb Piper
Chris Teefy
July 20, 2010
My condolences to the Rolfe Family
Ron tought me over 30 years ago to love and respect the game. I would not have become so passionate about it had he not spent the time he did with me in my early years to learn the fundementals of the greatest game ever. Ron taught by feel. He was patient and kind. The type of person we should all aspire to be. I'd bet that he is already teeing it up on the other side of the pearly gates with his buddy Robin Roberts. Rest in peace Ronnie and thank you for teaching me the game the right way.. God Bless. The world lost a great steward of the game and a kind soul.
RIP
The Teefy Family
North Hills/Skippack PA
Eileen Sheridan-Corrado
July 20, 2010
Carole, so sad to hear about Ron. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. I have sweet memories of you guys at bruce road, always stopping by Jimmy and Corinne's. I know you are both special to those kids and I know this is a huge loss to them. I just want you to know we are thinking of you and keeping you in our prayers...I think any of us are lucky to have met Ron, he was such a sweet kind man...Looks like he did a lot of good while he was on this earth..
LOUIS
July 20, 2010
My condolences to Randy & Denise and to the rest of Ron's family. Ronnie was originally a great friend to my father and subsequently a great friend of mine. He was always compassionate, fun to talk with about sports and horses not to mention his willingness to share anything he could regarding his knowledge about golfing tips. He always greeted me with a friendly smile and he always brought a smile to my face because we both shared many common, happy memories. I'll miss him. Say hello to Dad & Milt, Ron. Thanks.
Terri Florentino
July 20, 2010
Ron, a part of you will live on forever in me. God speed my special friend.
Brian McNamara
July 20, 2010
Rest in peace, Ron. I feel blessed for having had the good fortune to be one of your students. You were always supportive and considerate. Always interested in how my kids were doing or how work was going. I felt like you were more interested in helping me (and others) than in your own personal gains. Because of that, and much more, you will be missed by many.
God Bless
Leon Fields
July 20, 2010
Carol,
So sorry to hear about Ronnie. He brings back a flood of good memories that helped to change the direction of my life. May God bless you and the boys.
Leon Fields (Ga.)
July 20, 2010
Carole I was so sorry to hear about your husband. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Love, cousin Jackie and Herb
Bob Staples
July 20, 2010
My Dear friend on the otherside of the fence.
"The Mayor"
He was a true servant of humanity, loving to my family and a darn good Golfer. I will continue to pray for his families peace and comfort.
Everett Farr
July 20, 2010
We have all lost a special person.
Brian-Dori-Bill Carter
July 20, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jimmy Matthews
July 20, 2010
He was a friend and mentor to so many. I met him when I was a boy and he has remained a friend thruought my life. He was one of the most giving person I have ever met.
I found this on the internet and wanted to share...
Ron Rolfe was born in 1942 in New London, Connecticut. He was introduced to golf at the age of 12 as a caddy at the New London Country Club. At New London High School he lettered in baseball, basketball, track and golf. After high school he attended Mitchell College on a basketball scholarship. Rolfe turned pro in 1964 and began his professional career as the assistant at the New London Country Club. He arrived in the Philadelphia Section in 1965 as the assistant to Bob Ross at the North Hills Country Club. The next year Ross left North Hills for the head professional position at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Even though Rolfe was just 23-years old and not a PGA member yet the North Hills C.C. officers hired him to follow Ross as their professional. It was a match made in heaven as Rolfe went on to serve North Hills in that position for 42-years. Since the tireless Marty Lyons no one gave more of their time and effort to assist the Philadelphia PGA than Rolfe. He was a member of the tournament committee for more than thirty years and in 1981 he was the co-chairman along with Tom Smith. That year he was the non-playing captain of the Schmidt Challenge Cup Team. Rolfe served the Section for 12-years on the Board as a District Director. He was a member of the PGA committee that provided the first junior golf clinics that were open to the public. He coached a high school girls' golf team and created a league of teams in which they could compete. He then helped them procure golf courses for their practice and matches. Rolfe and North Hills hosted more events for the Section than any other club and those were the ones that were the least lucrative for the host. They hosted the Section championship three times, qualifying for the PGA Club Professional Championship five times, Section Senior Championship twice, U.S. Open qualifying twice and the Schmidt Festival twice. Along with that he hosted one-day Section tournament and seminars. Rolfe was always also able to find a way to make his course available to the assistants and senior organizations. In the community he was always there to help people in need and many times he provided financial assistance to veteran caddies who were destitute. For twenty-five years he was one of the Section's steady players who usually finished in the money at the weekly events and as a senior he continued to cash checks. In his younger years as a PGA member he played on the Caribbean Tour and competed on the PGA Tour during the winter events on the west coast. As a senior he was twice a member of the Ping Challenge Cup team that defeated the GAP team. When Dick Smith, Sr. and Jack Connelly ran for national office Rolfe was one of the first that volunteered to attend the national meetings and assist with their campaigns. He was quietly one of the Section's most respected golf instructors. On a number of occasions pros sent Rolfe young players who were trying to take their games to another level. In 2008 Rolfe was elected to the Philadelphia Section PGA Hall of Fame.
The Staff of May Funeral Home
July 20, 2010
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
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