Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 18th at 9:30am at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home and 10:00am at St. Christine's Church for Ronald R. Rusnak, Sr. of Youngstown, Ohio, who passed away on February 11, 2017 surrounded by family. He was born January 7, 1932 in Campbell, Ohio to the late Michael J. & Mary (Nagy) Rusnak. He graduated from Campbell Memorial High School. He worked at Republic Steel, LTV Steel & Simco Apartments. Ron married Mary Jane Painter November 22, 1958. Mary Jane “Jenny” passed away June 15, 1975. He leaves his current wife, Dorothy (Caggiano) Rusnak of Youngstown married February 8, 2004. He also leaves a son Dr. Ronald Rusnak, Jr. (of Canton, OH) (late wife Mary Rusnak), Daughters, Jennifer Ozenghar (husband Art) of Youngstown, OH, Leanne Parks (husband Dan) of Youngstown, OH, Carolyn Rusnak, of Wheaton, IL & Mary Beth Valente (husband Geno) of Naperville, IL. He also leaves step-children Michael Caggiano of New Castle, PA (wife Sue), Karin Cimini (husband James) of Hanover, PA, and Lawrence Caggiano (wife Marilyn) of New Castle, PA. Grandchildren include Mallory, Robert, Maggie, and Amelia Rusnak; Corynn, Brieanne, and Makenna Ozenghar; Natalie and Sidney Parks; Raegan Overbeeke; Sabrina, Geno, Jr., and Mario Valente; Step-grandchildren include Russ and Jennie Caggiano; Stacy Boyle, and Rick and Ben Cimini. He also leaves 8 step-great-grandchildren. Surviving are sisters Irene Chrislip (San Clemente, CA), Margie Chuparkoff (Copley, OH) & Regina Yurick (Struthers, OH) and brother, Steve Rusnak (Mission Viejo, CA).
Brothers Emery Rusnak, Michael Rusnak and George Rusnak, and sisters Mary Sajnovsky and Helen Van Such preceded him in death.
Ron was an avid fisherman, catching a 40 inch Northern Pike a lifetime achievement, he enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking known especially for his wildly popular blueberry pies. He was affectionately known as “Wawa” or “Chief” to his family. He was a parishioner at St. Christine Church where he also served as a Eucharistic minister. He was active with Right to Life and took part in many marches in Washington, D.C. and in fact made the front cover of Time Magazine pictured kneeling on the steps of the Supreme Court saying the rosary. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree. Fond memories include annual family reunions, serious chess games, polka dancing, and the “Cry Open” golf family tournaments, poetry and songs he authored and his great sayings like “Make me Eat,” “Drink More Water” and “Read the Bible.” His smile, great faith and zest for life will be missed by many.

Friends will be received on Friday, February 17th from 4 to 7pm at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made toward the purchase of a memorial bench to be placed in Mill Creek Park, in Memory of Ronald Rusnak Sr.

Please follow this link to send a donation:

https://www.paypal.me/RonaldRusnak

 Service Information