Harold J Ronnholm

Harold J. Ronnholm, age 93, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Monday, October 4, 2021 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Harold was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ as the older of two children to Alec and Margaret Ronnholm. While growing up in Jersey City, Harry participated in several sports, and was part of state championship teams in baseball and basketball. He attended Jersey City High School and also St Peter’s Preparatory School and graduated with the class of 1946. Following graduation, Harry enrolled at Drake School of Business where he earned his certification in Mechanical Drafting. He found work quickly as a Draftsman and accepted a position at AT&T, known at that time as Western Electric. After only working for a couple of years, Harry got the call to serve his country in United States Army. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany while in the army and served in the Military Intelligence Department. Being stationed in Germany, Harry took advantage of his leave time and visited neighboring countries such as Sweden and Switzerland. He also played the upright bass with the US Army Dance Band. Harry served proudly and honorably in the US Army from 1951 until 1953.

Upon his honorable discharge and return to the states, Harry continued his employment at AT&T where he was promoted to Quality Control. During his employment at AT&T, Harry had several training manuals published. Harry’s career with AT&T spanned forty-two years until his retirement in 1990. Following a somewhat early retirement with AT&T, Harry decided to keep working and accepted a position at Macy’s Department Store selling men’s suits. Harry worked for another twenty years with Macy’s until retiring again at the age eighty-eight. During the time after his first retirement, Harry was also part owner in a catering business for a few years known as “Affairs by W.H.A.L.K.”

Harry was an avid bowler, playing in a variety of local bowling leagues. He never bowled a 300 game, however, he did bowl a 298. As a bowling tradition, he was given the two bowling pins he missed that game and was awarded a ring.

One night in 1963 Harry, as a young man, was playing in a Single’s Bowling League in Jersey City. While bowling that night he met an attractive young woman by the name of Barbara Ann Volk. Harry and Barbara hit it off great and started dating. As fate would have it they fell in love and on October 2, 1965 Harry and Barbara were married. The newlywed couple settled in an apartment in Little Falls for a short time. While there, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Mary Ann. In 1967, Harry and his family moved to Wayne where they welcomed the births of the next two children, Carol Ann and John. Harry and Barbara remained in Wayne for the rest of their lives and raised their family there.

Harry was a long-time member of the Elks Lodge #2181 in Wayne. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and his family were parishioners of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne where Harry was very active in the Holy Name Society and as a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the “Rowdies of Wayne,” which were a group of life-long friends at church that planned bus trips together and traveled to Florida. The “Rowdies” would always meet for breakfast or lunch after Sunday mass. Later after all were retired, they continued the tradition with Friday breakfasts at the diner. Harry and Barbara for several years enjoyed frequenting Boca Raton during the winters and cruising from Florida when they got the chance.
Aside from all of Harry’s talents and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Harry than spending time with and providing for his family. His work ethic was outstanding and he was always concerned with providing a good example for his children. He was not only dedicated to his children, but also to his grandchildren. He was a loving and devoted grandfather and never missed any of his grandchildren’s sporting events, dances or theatre productions. He was a bit of a “glass half empty” kind of person, but that was balanced by his wife who was very optimistic. They were the perfect couple! Harry and Barbara cherished fifty-six years of loving and loyal marriage together. Harry touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by everyone that knew him.

Harry is survived by his wife Barbara Ann (nee Volk) of Wayne, two daughters; Mary Ann Ronnholm of Wayne, NJ, and Carol Ann Murphy and her husband Brian of West Orange, NJ, one son John Ronnholm and his wife Maggie of Chester, NJ, five grandchildren; Emma Murphy of West Orange, Owen Murphy of West Orange, Noah Dyer of Chester, Jonah Dyer of Chester, and Alec Jones “A.J.” Ronnholm of Chester.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Harold’s name may do so to the charity of their choice.