Ronald Albert Royal

Ron A. Royal entered into eternal rest on November 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Ron is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marilyn, and their five daughters and sons-in-law: Liz and Scott Smith, Sue and Rick Berkun, Katy and Peter Constantinos, Chris and Ed Lindsay and Margo and Jack Devine. The Royals have 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, all of whom were Ron's pride and joy. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Joyce Royal Striebel. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Ron was a graduate of the Boardman High School Class of 1950. He was class president several times and played football at Boardman, then went on to Muskingum College. After two years, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard where he served four years of active duty and four years of reserve duty, receiving an honorable discharge. Ron then attended Youngstown State University where he studied civil engineering. Ron started his construction career in Sarasota in 1962 with T.T. Watson, Inc., General Contractor, where he became vice-president. He also worked for Dewitt, Furnell and Spicer and for three years was vice-president of Paver Development. In 1971, Ron formed his own company, Ron A. Royal, Inc., General Contractors, building it into a business with 316 employees. Over 19 years, Ron A. Royal Inc. was responsible for the construction of dozens of commercial, government and multi-family buildings throughout Sarasota that still stand today. Ron's contributions to this community include: Sarasota Jaycees, board member and president; King Neptune's "Ye Mystic Crewe", member; Sarasota County Chamber Commerce, board member and president; Goodwill Industries, board of governors; Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, member development chairman; Suncoast Construction Industry Council, chairman; Sarasota Boys Club board member and grandparent; board member of American Bank, Ellis Bank, Sarasota Bank and Trust, SunTrust Bank; Spanish Point Development board member; Sarasota Memorial Hospital Foundation board member, chairman and president; Field Club board member, commodore, chairman of facility and development; Argus Foundation board member and chairman; New College Foundation board of trustees; Southwest Florida Chapter of the Red Cross for Disaster Services, chairman and recipient of Community Volunteer of the Year award; Argus Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, Pines of Sarasota Foundation chairman and board member. He was a Licensed Coast Guard Captain and an avid and skilled tennis player. Ron will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family, friends, and community. His gregarious presence filled a room and his laugh was as big and loud as his heart. He treated everyone he knew as an equal, and expected nothing but the best from all. In lieu of flowers, and in his memory, donations may be made to The Pines of Sarasota Foundation, 1501 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, 34236. The Pines was Ron's final contribution to his beloved home of Sarasota. A funeral mass will be held at St. Martha's Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. Toale Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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Ronald Albert Royal

October 30, 1932 - November 26, 2017