In Memoriam

Don Ronayne

Obituary

Donald Anthony Ronayne

Twin Falls (Idaho) Times-News
Published April 29, 2012

KENT ISLAND, Md. — Donald Anthony Ronayne of Kent Island, Md., and formerly of Twin Falls, passed away peacefully Monday, April 9, 2012, at Annapolis, Md., from a stroke. His wife, Carol, and nephew, Jim Ronayne and his wife Morgan Ronayne, were at his side. He was 69.

Don was born July 14, 1942, in Bronx, N.Y., the second child of James Albert and Mary Fallon Ronayne. He attended public schools in Garden City, Long Island, N.Y., graduated with honors from Yale University in 1964, studied at The Sorbonne, Paris, France, and received his Juris Doctor from Stanford University in 1968.

In Twin Falls, Don practiced with the firm of Rayborn, Rayborn, Barchas and Ronayne from 1972 to 1980. Thereafter, he was a sole practitioner in Hawaii, New Jersey, and Maryland.

In 1970, Don married Diane Maree Wallace in Palo Alto, Calif. They divorced in 1981 but remained friends throughout their lives. In 1986, he married Carol Fordonski in Oahu, Hawaii, and their loving home included Stormy, Shakiva, and Jessie, their cat and dogs.

At Yale, Don played football and lacrosse, and he coached the Stanford Club Lacrosse team in 1967 and 1968. He participated in anti-war demonstrations in the Bay Area and Twin Falls during the Vietnam War and, as he grew older, became a passionate environmentalist. Any time he could spend on an ocean beach, whether Atlantic or Pacific, gave him joy.

Don generously contributed his time, resources, and professional services to the causes he championed and to his community. On many occasions, he would stop and take stock of the world around him and his blessings, although as an existentialist he understood all too well the vicissitudes of life. Blessed with the Irish “gift of gab,” Don could always bring a smile. He was a kind and devoted husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, and he will be missed by many.

Survivors include his loving wife, Carol Fordonski of Kent Island, Md.; sister, Judith Ronayne of Garden City, N.Y.; former wife, Diane Ronayne of Boise, Idaho; nephew, Jim Ronayne and wife Morgan Ronayne of Annapolis, Md.; and numerous nephews, nieces, in-laws, and friends. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Jim Ronayne, and by his parents.

Per his wishes, a private service was held, but a celebration of Don’s life will take place at his home on July 14, 2012. Memorial contributions may be made to Chesapeake Cats and Dogs, 300A Island Professional Park, Stevensville, MD 21666. Funeral arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnan Funeral Home PA, in Chester, Md. Online condolences may be made on the funeral home website.