Socash

Ronald J. Socash, 90, of Freedom, New Sewickley Township, passed away Thursday morning, March 7, 2024, at North Hills Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Middlesex Township, 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 the St. Mark the Evangelist Knights of Columbus Council 10175, and sang with the Butler Notables. He also sang in a barbershop quartet. Ron was a social member of Mars VFW 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 he made friends in every corner of the world. Once in Vienna while visiting Mozart's home, he befriended an Austrian man who was busy painting Mozart's front door — of course he did — one of the many stories he loved to tell. Anywhere and everywhere 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 to grow up in. He taught us how to catch fly balls and make three pointer shots in the driveway hoops. We will remember forever our winter walks in the nighttime woods and his smell when he would hug us. But most of all, we will remember our Dad as 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 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 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, whom he married Oct. 30, 1981; his sons, Stephen Socash (Chris) of Harrisburg and Ronald Socash Jr. (Gingy) of Frederick, Md.; his daughters, Kathryn Socash of Florida, Susan Dutko (Denny) of Gibsonia, Amy Beyer (T.J.) of Middlesex Township and Beth Schoedel (Doug) of Allison Park; his stepsons, 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, Colo.; a sister, Maryann Huber of Sugarland, Texas; and nieces and nephews.

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

SOCASH — Friends of Ronald J. Socash, who died Thursday, March 7, 2024, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, at MCDONALD-AEBERLI FUNERAL HOME, 238 Crowe Ave., Mars.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Kilian Church, 7076 Franklin Road, Cranberry Township, with Father Charles Bober, pastor, officiating. Please meet at the church. Burial will be in Holy Savior Cemetery, Richland Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to StJude.org or the American Heart Association.

Directions and condolences are available at www.mcdonald-aeberli.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.