Obituary of Ronald G. Simkulet

Ronald Simkulet, 76, of Port Crane, died Friday June 29, 2018 surrounded by family while vacationing in Salt Lake City, Utah. A graduate of Central High, SUNY Cortland, and Binghamton Univ. Master's program, he served in the Army in Vietnam before becoming a PGA golf professional, then history teacher and golf coach at Susquehanna Valley H.S. Ron developed his passion for golf at Ely Park G.C., held a course-record of 62 for many years, and remained a life-long competitive player. He believed in the importance of education and working hard at studies, while balancing life with playing hard. His passions were family life, teaching, coaching, golf, gardening, fly fishing, and movie trivia. Ron was predeceased by his parents George and Doris Simkulet. He was a dedicated husband of 49 years, survived by his wife Frances (Ondrako) Simkulet, his son Ronald Simkulet Jr. and daughter-in-law Melissa Gaddis Simkulet and their children Georgia and Zoe, his daughter Christine Simkulet, his sister Ellen "Cookie" Simkulet (Nick Rotondo), his Aunts Lillian Carros and Margaret Simkulet, many extended family members and countless golfing buddies. A Funeral Mass will be offered by Ron's brother-in-law, Rev. Dr. Edward Ondrako, OFM Conv. at SS. Cyril and Methodius Church, Clinton Street, Binghamton, Friday at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Slovak Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Expressions of sympathy in Ron's memory may be made to St. Cyril's Repair My Church Fund, 148 Clinton Street, Binghamton, NY 13905.