Ronald J. Socash, Sr.

Ronald J. Socash, age 90, of Freedom, New Sewickley Twp., passed away on Thursday morning, March 7, 2024 at North Hills Skilled Nursing.

Born in Middlesex Twp., PA on May 27, 1933, he was the son of Michael and Mary Jurek Socash.

Ron was a painting contractor and owner of Ron Socash Painting.

A member of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish/St. Kilian Church, he was a choir member there for many years.  He was a charter member of St. Mark the Evangelist Knights of Columbus Council 10175 and sang with the Butler Notables and also sang barbershop quartet. He was a social member of Mars V.F.W. Post 7505.

Our Dad loved a good cigar, a happy polka and a clever joke. He could name any composer from a random classical piece and literally never forget a face....ever. It seemed that he made friends in every corner of the world. Once while in Vienna visiting Mozart's home, he befriended an Austrian man who was busy painting Mozart's front door....of course he did....one of his many stories that he loved to tell. Anywhere and everywhere that we went with our Dad, someone was sure to yell, "Hey Ron!!!!". He liked everyone he met and everyone liked him. Our Dad built us a beautiful house on a hill and to grow up in.  He taught us how to catch fly balls and make the three pointer shots in the driveway hoops. We will forever remember our winter walks in the nighttime woods and his smell when he would hug us.  But most of all, we will remember our Dad to be such a fair and good natured man.  We were, and always will be, proud to be like him.  We are thankful for the love and happiness that our Dad found with his wife, Barbara.  He adored her for many years of his life and was so very proud of his three loving stepsons. His legacy of love and laughter will last for ages as each of his grandchildren will continue to always believe that they were secretly his favorite. May he watch over all of us...in between jokes of course...while he surely has all of Heaven laughing.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Naviglia Socash, who he married on October 30, 1981, his sons, Stephen Socash (Chris) of Harrisburg and Ronald Socash, Jr. (Gingy) of Frederick, MD, his daughters, Kathryn Socash in Florida, Susan Dutko (Denny) of Gibsonia, Amy Beyer (T.J.) of Middlesex Twp. and Beth Schoedel (Doug) of Allison Park, his step-sons, Nello DeSantes (Christel) of Mars, Jeffrey DeSantes (Julia) of Mars and Timothy DeSantes (Lisa) of Wexford, 23 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, a brother, Regis Socash (Dorothea) of Boulder, CO, a sister, Maryann Huber of Sugarland, TX and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond and Michael Socash and a by his much loved grandson, Austin Sauer.

Friends will be received at the McDonald-Aeberli Funeral Home, Inc. 238 Crowe Ave. Mars, PA on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 2-4 & 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Kilian Church, 7076 Franklin Rd. Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 on Friday, March 15, 2024 at 10:30 AM, with Fr. Charles Bober, pastor, officiating. Please meet at the church. Burial will be in Holy Savior Cemetery, Richland Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Judes.org or the American Heart Association. Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.