Obituary of Ronald Evans Feszchur

On Thursday, March 14, 2019 Ronald Evans Feszchur, beloved husband and devoted father, passed away at his home at age 80 after his 12-year valiant battle with prostate cancer.

Ronald was born on March 2, 1939 in New Jersey to Alene and Charles Feszchur. He raised two daughters, Amanda and Darrian, at their home in West Islip. He was known for his contagious s­­mile and compassionate spirit. He led by example and was an inspiration to all who had the privilege to know him.

He is survived by his wife Carole of 52 years and his two daughters and their husbands, Amanda and John Reisert, Darrian and Mark Mariaca, and his precious granddaughter, Sydney Mariaca, as well as eight nieces and nephews.

He was an avid bayman and fisherman who loved spending time with his family taking overnight trips to Fire Island enjoying clamming, boating, swimming and endless days at the beach.

Ronnie, as he was known, had a sterling 45-year career with ABC Sports as a Videotape Engineer covering Monday Night Football and working with sports commentator legends, Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Al Michaels.  In 1982, he won a Sports Emmy Award for his talent at the Indianapolis 500 race and several other Emmy’s including for the World Series in 1987 and four Super Bowls. He covered four Olympic games during the glory days of ABC’s cutting edge coverage traveling to Los Angeles (Summer ’84), Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (Winter ’84), Calgary (Winter ’88) and Lake Placid (Winter ’80). Who could forget the “Miracle on Ice” when the US hockey team defeated the vastly superior Soviet Union team 4-3 on their way to Olympic Gold in Lake Placid. Or, when Olympic icon Greg Louganis won Diving Gold for the US in LA. Forever etched in our minds are Ronnie’s instant slow-motion replays of these and other unforgettable moments in sports history -- broadcast by ABC and hosted by Jim McKay. Ronnie was considered one of the best video tape operators/editors in the industry. Because of his unflappable personality and professionalism, he was consistently requested by Sports, News and Entertainment production teams, as the Director of Broadcast Operations, Frank Giabia can attest.

One of his biggest accomplishments was the 50-foot catamaran houseboat, “Brittania,” he single-handedly built between 1964-1969 at The Maresca boatyard on Woodcleft Canal on Freeport’s Nautical Mile and later launched and berthed nearby. Much to his wife’s surprise, it floated! “Brittania” was used as the family summer home for many years and eventually sold. Fifty years later, it is still floating and is now docked in a marina in Seaford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ronald's name may be made to Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, P.O. Box 7025, Wantagh, NY 11793.