A funeral mass for Ronald Joseph “Ron” Wroczynski, 74, of Lawrence will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.
Ron died Thursday, March 4, 2021, at his home after battling a rare form of cancer.
He was born February 8, 1947, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Joseph Stanley and Sarah Grace Feehan Wroczynski.
On April 20, 1968, he married Marian Della Robbins in the All Saints Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. They remained married till his passing, enjoying over 56 years together.
Ron worked as a general manager for Red Lobster for 15 years and retired from the University of Kansas in the Student Union working the training table and satellite services where he was affectionately known as “The Hotdog Man”.
He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. As a 35 year veteran of the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree, he elected to all positions of the Order. He was a Scoutmaster, a Mentor, and teacher to many young men in the Joplin, MO area. Civic duty and service to the community was a fundamental part of Ron. He was always willing to volunteer his time and talents to causes, especially those of his children. He assisted in providing special pies or food for his daughter’s Lawrence Trail Hawks trail races. His gregarious personality made him a stranger to none. He was fairly fond of fishing, gloried in the game of golf, keen on cooking; was a wonder with woodworking, a happy handyman and a strong supporter of KU football players, took pleasure in participating in glorious games with, but loved losing to, his grandchildren. He reveled in road tripping with his wonderful wife and fantastic family.
He is survived by his wife, Marian, brother Joseph Wroczynski and wife Cathy of Manchester, Pennsylvania; his children, Marian Goepfert and husband Dan of Joplin, Missouri; Ron J. Wroczynski of Belle Haven, Virginia; Roxann Zohner and husband Jakob of Post Falls, Idaho; and Caroline Wroczynski of Lawrence, Kansas; and 10 grandchildren, Billy Bender, Gabrielle Goepfert, Patrick Wroczynski, Tirza Zohner, Titus Zohner, Timaeus Zohner, Talitha Zohner, Timon Zohner, Trinity Zohner, and Tryphena Zohner.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6-7 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Douglas County Relay For Life, or flowering plants to be sent in care of the funeral home. Ron volunteered for Relay For Life and his family is grateful for the services available during his years of treatment.
Patrick and family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. When you were my student, Patrick, I always thought your grandpa was one of the good guys. He always seemed kind and caring and to be looking out for your best interests. I am sure you miss him greatly.
Kindly,
Kristy Kopp
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. we enjoyed celebrating mass with them and their family in Joplin. our sympathy and prayers go out to Marian and her family. May his soul rest in peace.
At this moment of great personal loss, my wife, Carolyn and I send our condolences to Ron Wroczynski Jr. and his family . We are so sorry for your loss. We never had the opportunity to meet the Senior Wroczynski, yet his kindness, enthusiasm and commitment to others can be clearly seen in his son, Ron Jr.
Good morning,
I hope this message is a positive message. Ron was my son Ben’s Scout Master. He helped make scouting a wonderful experience for lots of boys at St. Mary’s in Joplin. We took a high adventure trip to Colorado. I think we had 14 scouts and 4 adult leaders on this trip. We rode horses, canoed the Cash La Poudre river, and fished the lake and the river. Ron and I crawled on our hands and knees through thick bushes and caught our limit of brown trout. Ron’s first fish at the camp lake may have been his very first fish. He pulled it in but had it flip off on a steep bank. Ron chased it on his hands and knees both he and the fish rolling down the bank into the lake. It was a super fun experience. My son Ben and Ron Jr. are still friends. One last thought. I every few weeks ate lunch at the Red Lobster in Joplin. Ron would find things that he wanted me to try like crab claws or oysters. He said he wanted me to let him know if he should try to sell these items. He never charged me for those trials. I just paid for my lunch. Once again, Ron made a positive difference in lives of lots of people. THANK YOU RON.
Your friend,
Dean Ertel
The Fish Whisperer
Ron was an inspiration to me in my Knights of Columbus journey.
I was responsible fir thr tootsie roll drive at Corpus and Ron helped me when he could. He will be missed I am glad I got to share him
Our Prayers Go out To the Family, He was my BOSS, My Friend, I’ll miss him, Words can’t explain, Prayers!, Roxy, & Gary Taylor
In these moments of loss, words are useless. God rest his soul in peace.