Ronald John "Ron" Calderone, 66, of Newtown, died March 24 after a courageous battle with a long illness. He was at home and peacefully surrounded by his family for his last hours. He will always be known as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, cousin, and friend to so many. Born on July 5, 1951, he was originally from Elmhurst, Penn., and lived in Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and lastly in Newtown for the past 25 years.

Mr Calderone earned a bachelor's degree from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., and a master's degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He had a very successful career in information technology, holding executive level positions with the government, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, and others. He received numerous awards for his professional accomplishments and was named one of the "100 Premier IT Leaders" in America in 2004.

He was always telling jokes and making others laugh. Mr Calderone loved spending time with his family and traveling for vacations. He was a very involved father and spent time with his sons by serving as their Boy Scout leader and coaching their baseball, soccer, and basketball teams. He was always active in his church and sang in the church choir for many years. Mr Calderone's loved ones say he had such a generous heart and was always willing to help others in any way that he could. His father taught him the electrical trade, and he used those skills to help so many friends and family with their own houses. He had an endless curiosity for learning, especially about history, and he volunteered as a tour guide at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah, N.Y. He loved music by The Beatles, watching the movie It's a Wonderful Life, and driving his antique car. He also enjoyed golfing and being outdoors doing yard work and projects around his house.

His loving wife of 45 years, Paulette; their four sons, Brian, Randy, Doug, and Adam; two daughters-in-law, Stephanie and Ruta; two granddaughters, Kayla and Aylin; four siblings, Paul, Gary, Warren, and Wendy; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews survive him.

His loved ones say he is reunited with his parents, Virginia and Joseph, and grandparents, Emma and Oscar Mattson, and Rose and Salvatore Calderone, who predeceased him.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 pm on Wednesday, March 28, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, and on Thursday, March 29, from 9:30 to 10:15 am, at St James Lutheran Church, 111 Peter Road, Southbury. A Christian funeral service will follow at 10:30 am at St James Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St James Lutheran Church, 111 Peter Road, Southbury CT 06488; or to the ALS Association, CT Chapter, 4 Oxford Road Unit E4, Milford CT 06460, alsact.org.

To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.