Advertisement. Advertise with us

IN MEMORIAM:  In CCC, Bill Ronovech,

98, Helped Build Gilbert Lake State Park

Bill Ronovech
Bill Ronovech

ONEONTA – William Ronovech, 98, who helped build Gilbert Lake State Park during three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps, passed away on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at Fox Hospital.

William was born on April 29, 1916 in Brooklyn, the son of the late Anthony and Olga Ronovech. He married Eleanor Hebert on June 2, 1940. She predeceased him on Jan. 16, 1988, after 48 years.

Bill moved to Oneonta when he was 9 and lived on River Street for 74 years. He was a supervisor for ECD Bendix in Sidney for 30 years. Following retirement, he travelled the U.S. with his wife.

He was an avid sportsman and was a lifetime Dodger fan. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church and the Oneonta YMCA and swam there for 50 years.

His four children survive: Carol and Tom Clark of Callaway, Md., William Anthony and Sue Ronovech of Las Vegas, Nev., Victor and Andrea Ronovech of Oneonta and David Ronovech of Oneonta. Also, seven grandchildren, Rod, Michael, Mary Beth, Brian, Heather, Jason and Sonja; his nine great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents and wife, Bill was predeceased by his two brothers, Charles and Victor, and his sister, Julia Stringer.

Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home.  The funeral is planned at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Church, 39 Walnut St., with the Rev. David Mickiewicz, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Emmons.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, 1275 K Street, Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005.

Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website: www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home of Oneonta.

Posted

Related Articles

Time Out Otsego: 01-15-26

CLAM NIGHT—5-7 p.m. Held each Thursday. Fees apply. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494 or https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122179916480460363&set=a.122095360988460363…
January 14, 2026

In Memoriam: Minnie B. Hungerford

Minnie B. Hungerford, age 87, of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away on December 26, 2025. Minnie was born in New Lisbon, New York on December 2, 1938, the daughter of John and Grace (Mabey) Ballard. She also was blessed to call Vivian and Marion Card mom and dad as her foster parents. She graduated from Milford Central School District and set forth on her journey of success. That Saturday after graduation, she started work at the Milford branch of Wilber National Bank as a teller.…
January 5, 2026

Time Out Otsego: 12-31-25

NEW YEAR—Noon; registration 9:30-11:30 a.m. “Frostbite 5K in Honor of John Hayen.” Presented by the Oneonta YMCA. Fees apply; registration required. Starts at SFCU, 53 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0010 or https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122239949000139100&set=a.122112922910139100…
December 30, 2025

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout