Ronald L. Marchetti

Ron L. Marchetti, 86, entered into eternal peace surrounded by his family at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Hazleton. Born on August 6, 1939, Ron was the son of Raymond and Marie (Gallagher) Marchetti.  He graduated from Hazleton High School in 1957 and joined the family plumbing business, making him the 4th generation of plumbers in his family. He went on to own R.L. Marchetti Plumbing which he operated with his son, Randy who now continues the business that has served the area for over 120 years. Ron was a U.S. military veteran having served in the US Army 298th Ordnance Unit which was activated during the Berlin Crisis in 1961-1962.

Ron was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by his Father and Mother in-law, Louis and Theresa (Veet) Gaudiano; his brother, Ray; and sisters-in-law, Donna Greco, Sally Heaney and Joanne Marchetti. 

He is survived by the love of his life, Christine Gaudiano – they were married 64 years; his children, Lisa (Jeff) Yurek, Robin (John) Mahalick, Terri (Rick) Smith and Randy (Kelly) Marchetti; his 9 grandchildren, Miranda (Josh) Wenner, Christina (Michael) Strenchock, Kyle Mahalick, Julia (Matt) del Rio, Zakary Mahalick, Megan and Kelly Smith and Cameron and Ali Marchetti; his four great grandsons, Colton and Christian Wenner and Chase and Brock Strenchock. He is also survived by brothers, Marty Heaney, Robert (Roseann) Marchetti, Richard (Marcy) Marchetti, Roger Marchetti and sister, Rose Marie Noga; by brothers-in-law, Vito Greco and Ed Shemansky and sister-in-law Debbie Shemansky, nieces, nephews and many friends including the Wednesday Guys’ Night Out group and the Thursday morning Coffee Klatch crew. 

Ron grew up on Wyoming Street near Harman-Geist Stadium. He described his neighborhood as Seven Blocks of Heaven as Wyoming Street was the heart of a thriving Hazleton in the 1950s. He was a passionate fan of Army and Notre Dame football, New York Yankees and the Washington Redskins. He went on to become a sports media figure and the “Dean of Hazleton area sports.”  Ron was fiercely proud of his hometown and its history and remained active in local sports media and social/civic organizations throughout his life. He attended prayer retreat with the Men of Malvern for 46 years.  

Ron began his TV career with Sam-Son Productions on Local News 13 in June 1994. He hosted two segments, “Trivia Treats” and “Short Shots.” He completed over 2300 episodes in his very successful TV career. The shows are often requested by the families of the former area athletes he featured. Ron was sports editor for Panorama Magazine from 1984-2010 and considered by many old-timers as the heart, soul, and voice of sports in the Hazleton region. He also wrote columns for the Standard-Speaker, Anthracite Post and the Freeland Progress. He was involved many years in sports programs at Monsignor Molino and Bishop Hafey where his children went to school. Ron was past President of the Quarterback Club which he joined in 1968 in support of Mountaineer and Cougar football, He designed the cover of the game programs each year. He was the author of two magazines – HAHS Football through the Years in 1972 and My Best Shots in 1995. His memoir titled “Who Cares” was printed in February. He received the Ray Saul Sports Legend Award in 2009. 

Ron was inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, was the Hazleton Elk of the Year in 2011 and the Hazleton Unico 2016 Columbus Day “Outstanding Italian-American” Man of the Year. He was an officer on the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame and on the board of directors of the Hazleton Historical Society. He served as President of the Hazleton Plumbers Association for 28 years. 

His funeral will be held Wednesday, June 3. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Holy Rosary R.C. Church, Hazleton. Interment will follow in St. Gabriel’s R.C. Cemetery, Hazleton.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, June 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Damiano Funeral Home Inc., McAdoo.

The family would like to thank the many people at Lehigh Valley Hospital for the amazing care they offered over the last two months. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame at 545 South Poplar Street, Hazleton, PA 18201.

Last April Ron completed his memoir/family journal – his great ambition and project. The following is from the last page of his book:  

“At this writing I'm having numerous health problems. I’m ending this journal with this page on April 1,2025. I am 85 years old into a wonderful life. Of course, I hope and pray for more time on this planet. I just have a feeling these days that I'm on the edge. I do believe that every day I’m alive is a bonus especially since 1993 when I almost touched the golden gate. However, it could be said that every day is a bonus to everybody. I'm so thankful to our Heavenly Father for giving me this dream life that I'm still having. I was blessed with an unbelievable and beautiful wife, four fantastic children, nine terrific and healthy grandchildren and four great grandchildren. I had so many wonderful friends in my life.”

“Thanks to them and all of you for giving me a dream life. I love you all. Thank you and God Bless.”

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