Ronald J. Bracken

1943 - 2025

PHILIPSBURG - Ronald J. Bracken, 81, of Philipsburg, died Oct. 6, 2025, at Penn Highlands Tyrone.

Ronald was born on Nov. 6, 1943, in Philadelphia; and was adopted by John and Florence (Thompson) Bracken, who later divorced when Ron was 12. They moved in 1945 from Belsano to Port Matilda where Ron grew up on what he laughingly called "Heathen Hill."

He graduated from the Bald Eagle Area High School in 1961; and later attended the Pennsylvania State University.

He married the love of his life, Joan (Lewis), on June 24, 1966; and she preceded him in death on July 30, 2016. They had been married for just over 50 years.

They had one daughter, Janine K. Barony and her husband, James, who survive of Warriors Mark; twin granddaughters, Kayla R. Barony, of Philipsburg and Kylie J. Shultz and her husband, Nathan, of Colver; and a great-grandson, Colston Shultz. Ron is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and a special companion, Penny Nale, of Tipton.

While at Bald Eagle Area, he played football and baseball and was proud to point out that the 1961 baseball team won the Central Penn League title; which was the first championship in the school's history. He also played County League baseball for Port Matilda from 1961 to 1967. He later played softball in the State College Rec. League for Bostonian Ltd. and in the Moshannon Valley Church Softball League.

Following a life-long passion for sports, Ron began writing for the Centre Daily Times in September 1967 as a part-time writer. He began working for the CDT full-time on Dec. 6, 1967. He became an assistant sports editor, served as the sports editor on three separate occasions and also became a sports columnist.

During his career, he won 15 PNPA first-place awards, two Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors first-place awards and two National Associated Press Sports Editors awards.

Among his other honors were the District 6 Man of the Year, the Media Excellence Award for coverage of amateur wrestling, the George Heaslip Media Award for coverage of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and the Fran Fisher Award for Excellence in Journalism sponsored by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He also authored two books, Nittany Lion Notebook and Replays.

Ron was a member of the Bald Eagle Area Wrestling, District 6 Wrestling Coaches Assoc., Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Assoc., the National Wrestling Coaches and the District 6 Softball Halls of Fame.

Ron covered Penn State Football from 1968 until his retirement in 2008. He covered ten bowl games including all four of Penn State's games in which they played for the National Championship; the 1979 Sugar Bowl, the 1983 Sugar Bowl, the 1986 Orange Bowl and the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. He counted the 1987 Fiesta Bowl as his favorite game of all those he covered.

Ron was also proud to have covered his alma mater when BEA's 1999 wrestling team won the PIAA Team and Individual Tournaments and was voted the No. 1 team in the country in two different polls.

During his career, he also saw the rise of women's sports and was on hand as Centre County girls from each of the five high schools won PIAA softball championships; including two apiece by the BEA and Philipsburg - Osceola Area High Schools.

One of his most satisfying moments was to see the formation of the Centre County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He was a longtime advocate, founding member and board member of the chapter; and he was inducted into their Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

He was also a proud member of the Walnut Grove Hunting Camp in Ardery Hollow; a place where he shared many great moments with many great members.

Ron was a member of the New Life Center in Philipsburg where a funeral service will be held on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. John T. Dill, officiating.

The family will receive guests on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg; and on Monday at the New Life Center, 111 S. 2nd. Street, Philipsburg, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Interment will be in Philipsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ron's memory to the Bald Eagle Area Varsity Club, C/O Bald Eagle Area School District, 751 S. Eagle Valley Road, Wingate, PA 16823.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at Beezer Heath Funeral Home, Philipsburg, PA 16866.