Obituary for Ronald J. Thorpe
Ron Thorpe of Oshkosh, WI died unexpectedly at home on July 5th, 2022, following a brief illness. Born Ronald Joe Thorpe to Cecil and Ethel Thorpe of Greenville, WI on July 14, 1959. He was the youngest of 8 children. Ron spent his entire life in the Fox Cities Area.
Ron graduated from Hortonville High School in 1977 and Lakeland College in 1981, majoring in Behavioral Science and Sociology. He spent a career of 30 years with the WI Department of Health Services as a Psychiatric Care Technician at the Wisconsin Resource Center in Oshkosh.
Throughout his life, Ron was a creative builder and woodworker, always ready to remodel a room, add a deck, or custom build a special piece of furniture. He shared this special ability and talent with his best friend and brother Doug, who worked their summers on home building crews. His sense of humor was reflected on the shirts they wore, labeling themselves “The Monroe Brothers” like the duo on Green Acres. Ron spent many seasons at the family deer camp in Clintonville during hunting season. He loved the Packers and was one of their greatest critics!
Retiring in 2013, Ron took pride in his “green thumb” adding a backyard orchard, flowers, and vegetable garden with an irrigation system using captured rainwater. Ron was an excellent cook and baker never afraid to experiment with new recipes or methods. His passion for woodworking filled his retirement days. Ron was a regular vendor at local Farmers and Flea markets from Shawano to Fond du Lac covering 4 counties. He was a creative artist designing unique products such as Halloween coffins, skeleton chairs, walking sticks, growth boards, and tables. The popular “Pet Feeding Station” for animals of all sizes became his best seller!
Also, he will be remembered for his wit, humor, and sarcasm; his Buffalo plaid shirt, and the best baby holder known by many as “Uncle Ron”! He spent many hours enjoying time with his numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & grand-nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brother and best friend Doug, brother Dennis, nephew Aaron Thorpe, grand-nephews Rhett & Rillian Ashman, and brother-in-law Orin Wincentsen. Ron is survived by brothers Gary (Donna) & Jim, sisters Marcia (Ken) Spaulding, Cynthia Thorpe(Dennis Kavanaugh), and Victoria Wincentsen. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grand-nephews, great grand-nieces, and great grand-nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 1 PM to 4 PM, at Winnebago County Community Park, 501 E. County Road Y, at the Soccer Shelter. Family and friends will be encouraged to share Ron stories and memories during this informal event. Food and beverages will be provided. Join us!
“Remember me with laughter, remember me having a ball. If you only remember me with sadness, then don’t remember me at all.”
Ron graduated from Hortonville High School in 1977 and Lakeland College in 1981, majoring in Behavioral Science and Sociology. He spent a career of 30 years with the WI Department of Health Services as a Psychiatric Care Technician at the Wisconsin Resource Center in Oshkosh.
Throughout his life, Ron was a creative builder and woodworker, always ready to remodel a room, add a deck, or custom build a special piece of furniture. He shared this special ability and talent with his best friend and brother Doug, who worked their summers on home building crews. His sense of humor was reflected on the shirts they wore, labeling themselves “The Monroe Brothers” like the duo on Green Acres. Ron spent many seasons at the family deer camp in Clintonville during hunting season. He loved the Packers and was one of their greatest critics!
Retiring in 2013, Ron took pride in his “green thumb” adding a backyard orchard, flowers, and vegetable garden with an irrigation system using captured rainwater. Ron was an excellent cook and baker never afraid to experiment with new recipes or methods. His passion for woodworking filled his retirement days. Ron was a regular vendor at local Farmers and Flea markets from Shawano to Fond du Lac covering 4 counties. He was a creative artist designing unique products such as Halloween coffins, skeleton chairs, walking sticks, growth boards, and tables. The popular “Pet Feeding Station” for animals of all sizes became his best seller!
Also, he will be remembered for his wit, humor, and sarcasm; his Buffalo plaid shirt, and the best baby holder known by many as “Uncle Ron”! He spent many hours enjoying time with his numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces & grand-nephews.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, brother and best friend Doug, brother Dennis, nephew Aaron Thorpe, grand-nephews Rhett & Rillian Ashman, and brother-in-law Orin Wincentsen. Ron is survived by brothers Gary (Donna) & Jim, sisters Marcia (Ken) Spaulding, Cynthia Thorpe(Dennis Kavanaugh), and Victoria Wincentsen. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces, grand-nephews, great grand-nieces, and great grand-nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, from 1 PM to 4 PM, at Winnebago County Community Park, 501 E. County Road Y, at the Soccer Shelter. Family and friends will be encouraged to share Ron stories and memories during this informal event. Food and beverages will be provided. Join us!
“Remember me with laughter, remember me having a ball. If you only remember me with sadness, then don’t remember me at all.”