Ronald J. Caldwell Sr.'s Obituary
Ronald J. Caldwell, Sr passed away on January 7, 2023.
Ronald was born the eldest of three children to Joseph and Doris Caldwell in Lynn, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1934. He met his wife Shirley A. Caldwell (Fowler) of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and built a family, having three children: Marcia Caldwell, Ronald Caldwell, Jr., and Philip Caldwell. Ronald wore many titles: Husband, dad, brother, son, friend, pops, and poppi.
Ronald became a member of the United States Army, where he discovered and nurtured his passion for computer science. Upon completing his military service, Ronald and his family moved to Queens, New York, where they continued to build their lives and careers.
Ronald had a great love of computers and made his career in the field of information technology. He served as a Computer Science Business Management Consultant, which position he relished his entire life. He would help build webpages as well as show clients how they could automate their businesses.
In addition to his many personal achievements, he was one of few people of color to hold a VP Administration position at Ziff Davis, a world-renowned magazine publishing company.
He was a valued member of the historic Trinity Church in New York City, holding a place on the congregational council as well as in the Trinity Church vestry. He was well known for his participation in the church, which included many international trips to Africa and Europe within the church's mission.
Ronald was an active participant in many hobbies throughout his life. He loved to go fishing and would often include his children and grandchildren in his fishing trips. He was also active in building computers and helping others build their online presence. His great love of photography manifested itself in his beautiful pictures of life as we know it, as he would always travel with camera in hand, capturing the beauty in all he saw. He would enter photography competitions for many of his pictures. Most of his subjects were nature and animals.
Ronald was one of the founders and an active participating member of the Southeast Queens Camera Club. He was passionate about bringing artistic appreciation through photography to black communities and garnered many valuable lifetime friendships through his association with the club.
Ronald was preceded in death by his wife Shirley (Fowler) Caldwell; his mother, Doris Caldwell; his father, Joseph Caldwell; his brother, Robert Caldwell, and his sister, Joyce (Cully) Caldwell.
Ronald is survived by sons Ronald (partner Vincente), and Philip (partner Iris); his daughter Marcia Hollinsed (husband Terrence); his eight grandchildren: Candice (partner Randall), Bernard (wife Jasmine), Samantha (husband Mark), Tyler (partner Alyssa), Milan, Jacqueline, Analisa, and Ariana; and great-grandchildren Aidan, Isaiah, Justin, Chloe, Joseph, Isabella, Jayden, Milan, Jr., and Story.
Ronald was devoted to his family and friends and will be deeply missed by all in his life, including a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ronald was a strong man that instilled in all he met a great sense of family and community, always striving to have the voices of people of color heard. He instilled in his family a great sense of family and a strong bond between all that loved him. He will be missed greatly.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Southeast Queens Camera Club – memo line: After-School Program. Checks may be mailed to the attention of Brenda Gates, 172-24 133rd Avenue, Apt. 13F, Jamaica, NY 11434
A visitation will be held Tuesday, January 24th, 2023 from 1:00-2:00PM at Moss Feaster Funeral Home-Dunedin. A funeral service will follow starting at 2:00PM. The service will be livestreamed and you may use the link below to view:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/83460/hash:F15F6F384922A5CB
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