Obituaries

Ronald “Ronnie” D. Coles, a lifelong resident of Old Forge, died on Thursday afternoon at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore after a fearless battle against Cancer. He was 60 years old.
Born on January 12, 1961 and raised in Old Forge, Ronnie was the son of the late Arthur and Jean (McHugh) Coles. After attending Old Forge High School, he went onto becoming a skilled local auto mechanic. For many years he worked side by side with Roy Williams at the former Roy Williams Auto Repair before taking over Roy’s garage upon his passing in 2017.
There weren’t many club and organizations Ronnie was not a part of. He was a longtime member of the Asbury United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Polish Falcons in Duryea, the German American Federation and the Polish Club, both of Dupont. A proud American, he was a familiar face and social member at the Old Forge and Duryea V.F.W.s and the American Legion of Duryea. A longtime biker, he belonged to several motorcycle clubs and he rode in various charitable runs throughout the years.
As a previous member of the Old Forge Ambulance Company and current member of the fire department Ronnie was especially loyal to his extended family of the Old Forge Fire Department who were by his side until the very end.
Non-stop all the time, Ronnie enjoyed working at the shop, riding his bike, spending time at the Hop Bottom lake house and being with family and friends. He could fix anything and everything and he’ll long be remembered for being always willing to help those in need. He will certainly never be forgotten.
He is survived by his family: his five children, Cassandra Smith and husband Josh of Castlewood, VA, Tiffany Coles of Blakely, Ronald Coles, Jr. of Avoca, Ronald Coles, III and Christopher Coles, both of Old Forge; his six grandchildren, Tyler Coles, Aiden Kelly, Jase Smith, Hunter Coles, Jackson Smith and Samuel Owens; his four siblings, Deborah Phillips-Zimmerman of Scranton, Cindy Coles and husband Joe Rappenglueck of Dalton, Kenneth Coles and wife Patti of Waymart and Jeanie Meyer and husband Cord of Waymart; many nieces and nephews; and Wendy (Williams) Salerno of Taylor who was dear to his heart along with his honorary children and brothers and sisters, Jenni Parrinello of Carbondale; Mike Piasecki Sr and wife Suzanne, Michael Piasecki Jr and fiancé Ashley Shaffer, Mark Rutkowski and wife Alyssa, Karen Shaffer and Rich Ross, Corey Halfpenny and Natalie Bieryla, Jeff Magagna and wife Bonny, Mark Tagliaterra, and Bobby Aulisio of the Old Forge Fire Department.
A brother, Arthur Coles, also preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Ronnie’s Life conducted by Minister Cord Meyer, Ronnie’s brother-in-law, is set for Tuesday to begin at 6:00 PM in the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 517 North Main Street, Old Forge. Full honors by Old Forge Fire Department will follow.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Tuesday from 3:00 PM until services. Private burial will be in Marcy Cemetery, Duryea.
Following his own wishes and with appreciation for all they had done for him, any memorial contributions may be made to the Old Forge Hose Company.