06/21/2016

Obituary for Ronald L. McKay

Funeral Director at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 11 AM at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 1951 Mathews Rd. Poland, OH 44514 for Ronald L. McKay, 73, who died peacefully Friday morning at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Boardman with his loving wife Loretta and long time friend John Sveda by his side.

Ron was born Jan. 10, 1943, in Youngstown, the son of Alexander and Evelyn Mikesell MacKay.

He attended Sheridan Elementary School, Princeton Jr. High and graduated from South High School in 1961. Ron was a scholarship student at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education.

Ron was the instrumental music teacher at Crestview High School in Columbiana County and at North Lima High School in Mahoning County. 

He joined the Clemente Funeral Home and Ambulance Service in Struthers on Feb. 20, 1969.  Ron became a licensed funeral director in 1972. In 1976, along with Samuel C. Clemente, Clemente-McKay Funeral Home and Ambulance Service in New Middletown, Ohio opened, and in 1982, the Struthers funeral home also became Clemente-McKay Funeral Home. 

In 1997, he began working for Fortunato Funeral Home in Youngstown and later for the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes in 1999.  

He was a longtime member of Heritage Presbyterian Church, previously Brownlee Woods Presbyterian Church, and served as deacon, elder and clerk of session. Ron was involved in several organizations throughout the community. He was a member of Ohio Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana County Funeral Directors Association, Past President of the Greater Youngstown Area Ambulance Association, former board member of PROCARE-Professional Cardiac Rehabilitation Association, Eastern Mental Heath, where he served as treasurer, charter member and first treasurer of the Struthers Lions Club, past president of the New Middletown Lions Club, charter member of the Springfield Township Optimist Club, member of IOOF Lodge #633 in Struthers, Clan MacDonald Scottish Lodge #766 F&AM in Poland, Aut More Grotto, Scottish Rite in Youngstown, Al Koran Shrine in Cleveland, the Youngstown Shrine Club, the Struthers Historical Society, American Federation of Musicians Local 86-242 in Youngstown and Local 118 in Warren, and the Poland Masonic Breakfast Club. 

Ron also organized the first blood drive in Springfield Township and served as the chairman of the Struthers blood drive for ten years. 

He loved music and played trombone in the Bernie Ragazzo Orchestra, Michael Creatura Band, and the Carmen Mico Band, all in the Youngstown area, where they would travel to many parts of the United States.  

Ron leaves his wife, the former Loretta Brogan, a retired teacher for the Struthers School District, whom he married June 20, 1987; and leaves several nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Evelyn DeRosa; and niece Linda Cook. 

Family and friends may call Monday from 5 to 7 pm at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel, and Tuesday from 10 to 10:45 am at the church.

Because of Ron's love for animals, the family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to Angels for Animals, 4750 West South Range Rd. Canfield, Ohio 44506 or to Heritage Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.

Please visit www.Higgins-Reardon.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the family.