Ronald Sherman was born in Greenport, NY on August 12, 1944 to Harry L Sherman and Ella (Felter) Sherman. He moved with his family to County Route xxx, Valatie and spent his childhood there. He attended Chatham Central School, graduating in 1963. He attended Cobleskill College and received his bachelors degree from NYS Excelceor College. By the time Ron was 13 he was working on a nearby dairy farm. After High School
graduation he worked in a factory in Hudson, Ny.
Ron married Priscilla Lose on June 12, 1965. They lived briefly in Hudson, NY and Cobleskill, NY then moved to employment on a Beef Cattle farm in Dover Plains, NY. As a herdsman on this farm, Ron cared for the herds of Horned Herefords, groomed cattle for show, and attended cattle shows and sales.
In the late 1960's they moved to Salisbury, Conn. To work on an Angus Cattle farm. The next move was to Chatham, NY where Ron became employed at OMRDD in Valatie, NY, where he was a night supervisor on a residential unit. When this unit closed he became a behavior specialist, working with Autistic and intellectually disabled teens. It was in 1971 that he met Darleen, a seriously disabled little girl slated for resettlement
from Wassaic Developmental Center. Love brought her home to a loving family and adoption. In 1979, 3 year old Paul became a welcome addition to the family as well.
In 1986 a move was made to Boynton Beach, Florida. Ron became a realtor for a short time then was hired by Florida Developmental Services as a behavior Specialist an Support Coordinator. It was during this time that Ron met Cindy, a lady with cerebral palsy. It wasn't long before she also became part of the family. Ron developed COPD and was forced into retirement due to health problems. Life was not easy for him from then on, but he clung to it for his family who needed him. By May 2021 all three disabled family members had passed away. Ron took these deaths very hard. Medical issues continued to plague him until he also passed away.
Ron should always be remembered as a man who was devoted to his family. With his skills he helped many families with the struggles of a child with developmental disabilities. He was greatly admired in the field.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Harry L. and Ella F. Sherman. Also by his daughter, Darleen, son Paul, and sister Cindy, and his niece Carolee. Preceding him as well were in-laws Henry and Dorothy Losee.
Left to grieve his passing are his wife, Priscilla, his brothers, Frank and George, sisters-in-law, Jill Losee, Janet Skidmore, and Peg Lotun, their respective spouses and many nieces and nephews.
May he rest in peace.
