Ronald R. Meadowcroft

Born: 12/29/1949 Died: 9/22/2011 Ronald R. Meadowcroft, age 61, of Delaware City, DE, with his beloved wife by his side, was taken up by the angels to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 22, 2011, after a courageous battle with cancer. A native Delawarean, Ron was born in Wilmington on December 29, 1949. He proudly served his country, enlisting in the US Army at the age of 17, and was stationed in Washington D.C. as an honor guard during the Vietnam War. In civilian life, Ron was employed with New Castle County, retiring after 35 years of service. During this time he served as the Assistant Community Services Administrator at Carousel Park, where he worked tirelessly to create the beautiful ponds and walking trails there today. He also made sure that there were ponies for children to ride, year-round hay rides, ice cream festivals, as well as “Sleeping Under the Stars” and many other special events for everyone to enjoy. Ron also worked as a counselor for the State of Delaware in the Middletown Residential Treatment Centers and the Ferris School, where he retired after 25 years. He loved working with the children in these programs and brought many of them home on holidays and weekends when they were left behind by their own families. He also showed his great love of children closer to home: Ron established the first recreational opportunities for the youth of Delaware City by working with community and government leaders to open an Olympic-size swimming pool and a riding stable on the grounds of the Governor Bacon Health Center. The children paid only a small fee to join (to help pay for chemicals for the pool or feed for the horses) but no child was ever turned away. If children had no money, they could “earn” their way by “working” for Uncle Ronnie, picking up trash around the pool area or feeding the horses in the stables. These children would go home and proudly tell their parents that they had earned a family membership to the pool by working for it! There were many things Ron was passionate about in his life including politics, riding his Harley, and being surrounded by family and friends. He was well respected and beloved by everyone who knew him; his strength and spirit will be sadly missed by all. Ron was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Rose Morales Wood, stepfather, Harry Wood, Jr., father, William Meadowcroft, brother, Guy Meadowcroft, and sister, Denise Megginson. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved and devoted wife and soulmate of 41 years, Diane P. Michaud Meadowcroft; his children, Yolanda Meadowcroft, RN, Rana Johnson (Paul), and Ronald L. Meadowcroft (Tricia), all of Delaware City; siblings, Christine Baker of Clayton, Cindy Crossman (Michael) of Baltimore, Connie Baum of Arkansas, and Harry Wood III of Smyrna; and brother-in-law, Theodore Megginson of Smyrna. He was the cherished “Pop Pop” to his adored grandchildren, Amanda, Veronica, Kaitlyn, and Paul Paul, and a beloved uncle to his many special nieces and nephews, all of whom will forever carry him in their hearts. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff of both the Helen Graham Cancer Center and of Seasons Hospice for the tender and compassionate care given to Ron during his illness. They also thank all of their relatives and friends for their prayers and support during this time of sorrow. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at the Delaware City Fire Company, 815 Fifth Street, Delaware City, where visitation will begin at 9:30 am. Interment with military honors will follow in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Delaware City Fire Company, P.O. Box 251, Delaware City, DE 19706; or Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Ste. 101, Newark, DE 19713; or Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.