It is with great sadness we announce the passing of RONALD R. ZAMBETTI, SR. ( age 82) on October 3, 2024, at his home in Hinckley, Ohio.
Ronald was born on June 21, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was baptized and
confirmed at St. Colman Catholic Church, where he served Sunday masses as an
Altar Boy. He graduated from West High School in 1960, playing both basketball
and football. He continued his education at Ashland University, earning a
Bachelor of Science degree in 1964.
After college, Ronald married his high school sweetheart Terryle Swanson in 1965.
They moved to Galion, Ohio, where he began his teaching career at Crestline High
School. During the summer months, he worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad as a
fireman, riding the rails between Galion and Pitcairn, Pennsylvania.
Missing Cleveland and their families, Ronald accepted a Teacher-Coach position at
Brooklyn High School in 1968 and they moved back home. 56 years later, he is still
fondly remembered by many of the Brooklyn students that he taught and
coached.
With 2 small children and another one on the way, it was difficult to make ends
meet on a Teacher-Coach salary. To supplement his income and provide a good
life for his family, he went to the Police Academy and became a part-time
Metropolitan Park Ranger, now the Cleveland Metro Parks. This sparked a
passion for the field of Law Enforcement, eventually leading to a dual career.
In those years, Ronald the teacher was also a student. Being an exceptionally
motivated individual, with an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he went on to
further his education by earning his Masters, EdS, and PhD advanced degrees.
But he wasn’t done yet. In 1987, he was accepted into the FBI National Academy
in Quantico, Virginia, where he graduated in the top of his class.
His career in education spanned over 4 decades, retiring from Cuyahoga
Community College in 1991. Given Ronald’s high performing persona, and
burning desire to be in the game, retirement did not last long. Launching an
encore career in 1992, he was selected to be the Director of Security for the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame, then the Great Lakes Science Center, and joined the
Medina County Sherriff’s Department. In 1996, he accepted the Director of
Security position with Westfield Insurance, from which he permanently retired in
2013.
Ronald wore many hats throughout his lifetime. Whether you knew him as Dad,
Papa, Mr. Z, Teach, Coach, Chief, or Doc he touched the lives of everyone he
met. His true gift was making everyone feel important and special. People knew
him wherever he went and he was never too busy to take a moment and talk.
He was incredibly kind and generous, always ready to help those in need of a
hand. He saw the good and the potential in people, and was never one to cast
judgement. If you were having a bad day, he would make it better. If you were
down, he would lift you up. If you were about to give up, he would give you
hope. He brought out the best in people, and made a real difference in the lives
of so many. He was a truly selfless man, that will be greatly missed by all.
Ronald is preceded in death by his wife Terryle (nee Swanson), and parents Harry
and Dorothy (nee Pierstrof) Zambetti-Miles.
He is survived by his sons Ronald II, (Kathleen, nee Rau), Todd and Adam (Noelle,
nee DeLeon) Zambetti and his only grandchild Rocco; dear brother of Marsha
Waite (Curt), and his brother-in-law Robert Swanson.
Ronald Zambetti, Sr. wanted to be remembered in life, not mourned in
death. Honoring his final request, all services are private.