Obituary of Ronald Henry Vennie Sr.

Ronald “Ronnie” Henry Vennie, Sr. was born on October 17, 1947, in Harrisburg, PA to the late Lillie Mae Mosley Murry and Cecil H. Cuff.

Ronnie moved to New Brunswick, NJ in the late 1960s and graduated from New Brunswick High School in 1967.  In 1968, Ronnie joined the United States Army and ascended to rank of Specialist Four.  He served two years, in Vietnam, and was Honorably Discharged in 1970.  From Vietnam, Ronnie moved to Plainfield, NJ and in 1976 he settled, with his family in Piscataway, where he resided until his death.

In 1977, Ronnie joined the Holmes Marshall Volunteer Fire Company.  Over his forty plus years of service, he held many officer roles, including Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, Lieutenant and most recently as Company President.

Ronnie is a member Zion Hill Baptist Church.  He is also a member of VFW Post 9626, the Volunteer Chief’s Association and is a Trustee of the Piscataway Township Relief Association.  Ronnie is a Mason and former member of Progressive 17 in New Brunswick.

Ronnie coached Little League, in New Brunswick, for 25 yearsbeginning in 1985.

Ronnie retired from Kaiser Aluminum and Continental Cans.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his mother, Lillie Mae Murry, one brother, Joseph Eugene Vennie one sister, Joyce Ann Cole and his former wife, Joyce Elizabeth Vennie.

Ronnie is survived by two brothers, Walter L. (Angelita) Mosley, of Delaware and Samuel (Lucianna) Murry of Carlisle, PA; one brother-in-law, John F. Smith of New Brunswick, NJ;three sisters-in-law, Myrtle Vennie of Somerset, NJ, Gloria L. Jackson of Somerset, NJ and Edith R. Smith of Cranbury, NJ; three daughters, Lorenthia (William) Ricketts, of Winterville, NC, Theresa A. Vennie, of North Brunswick, NJ and Michelle I. Vennie, of Olive Branch, MS and five sons, Willie J. Howard of New Brunswick, NJ, Anthony J. (Luz) Howard, of Somerset, NJ, Edgar C. Howard, of New Brunswick, NJ, Ronald H. (Elba) Vennie, Jr. of Ewing, NJ and Phillip M. Vennie of Piscataway, NJ.  Ronnie is also survived by a host of aunts, cousins, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Ronnie will most be remembered for his caring spirit, his generosity, his willingness to protect and serve his country and the community, in which he worked and lived, as well as his great sense of humor.  Ronnie was always a phone call away and he was always there when you needed him, family, friend and neighbors alike.