Ronnie Jonsson

Ronnie Jonsson was born to Anna and Charles Jonsson in southern Sweden in 1929, the middle child of three brothers. As a young man, he was selected from among his peers and awarded a scholarship to attend college in Halsinborg where he studied chemical engineering. During his mandatory year in the Swedish army that followed, he married Sonja Ronn, a tanned and vivacious beauty from Krapperup. Following the birth of their first daughter, Eva, he was invited to work in America for a company named after his hometown, Hoganas, which mined and produced iron ore, and he eagerly accepted. Together, in 1953 he and Sonja and little Eva happily boarded the Gripsholm and set course for New York. They took up residency in New Jersey and became US citizens shortly after. At Hoganas, Ronnie proved himself to be a creative, intelligent and capable engineer. In 1970, he accepted an offer to work for the Swedish steel company, Fagarsta, which had a plant in Northeast Pennsylvania, and it was there that he served as General Manager. The company was sold to Sandvik and he remained in charge until that plant was sold. Thereafter, Ronnie took a position with Ted Thorson in Kingston, PA where he worked until his retirement at the age of 69. He and Sonja then relocated to Lewiston, NY. Ronnie often/expressed his unending gratitude for the many blessings that he enjoyed in life, most notably, in his words, his beautiful wife and three talented - each in their own way - daughters. He enjoyed vigorous long distance walks throughout his life, and music. He was an accomplished clarinetist and a self-taught piano player. He filled the house with his music and supported his daughters' musical training and exploration. In his later years, he loved to listen to opera and classical music on the radio. Generous and charming, Ronnie was a true gentleman and a class-act. But, the attribute for which he was most proud was his honesty, and he wrote an essay which can be found on the thisibelieve.org website. He enjoyed sharing his philosophy with anyone who had the courage to hear it, consider it and practice it. While the essay is best read in its entirety, the heart of it is this: "If I were GOD, how would I teach my people about my Law? My pick: a single commandment only, written not on a stone tablet but engraved in the hearts of every newborn, with no further instructions required: My law would simply be TELL NO LIE TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON, EVER." And of his beliefs, he said, "God is aware and approves." He leaves behind Sonja, his beloved wife of 64 years, and their three daughters Eva (Mark) Nicklas, Kathleen Godwin (John Pacovsky), and Silva (Rob) Malvasi, and four grandchildren, Mikael, Leif and Lena Nicklas and Annie Malvasi. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family in Sweden. A memorial service will be held for friends and family in his honor on Saturday, June 27, at 1:00 pm at the Lutheran Church of The Messiah, 915 Oneida Street, Lewiston with the Rev. Thomas Mason officiating. Refreshments following until 3:00 pm Donations may be made to Niagara Hospice Alliance, 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY 14094, or online at niagarahospice.org.