Ronald E. Blemel

BLEMEL - Ronald E. Of Orchard Park, died peacefully on February 22, 2022, at Beechwood Homes in Getzville. Ron was born on February 13, 1933, the son of Joseph and Florence Blemel. Ron grew up in Springville and left school after eighth grade to support the family. He started as a sweeper at Curtiss Wright; because of his work ethic he soon earned the chance to fabricate wood- core airplane wings. He later became a tool maker at Twin Industries. He then apprenticed as a cabinetmaker at E. M. Hager & Sons Lumber Planing Mill, applying the carpentry skills passed down from his father. He stayed at Hager until the historic mill went out of business in 1972. He worked at Frans Cabinet and Display and at Frontier Lumber before retiring in 1995. Ron was a proud member of both the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners and the International Association of Machinists. He met his future wife, Florence Hills, at a roller rink, and they married in 1955. After scraping enough together to buy an old farmhouse in 1959, they built a garage from the ground up, just the two of them. Ron was a devoted husband and father who worked hard to give his children more opportunities than he had. Ron and Florence returned to skating in the late 1970s, and made the Orchard Park Roller Rink a second home for two decades. In retirement, they found a wonderful community at the Orchard Park Senior Center. Ron and Florence lived in their home for 63 years, until they moved into assisted living. Beloved husband of Florence (ne Hills) Blemel; devoted father of Karen Blemel, Dawn (Michael Perry) Granica, and Kevin (Erika Suffern) Blemel; cherished grandfather of Jason, Shari (Anthony), Stacy, Thomas, Eric, Ellery, and the late Shane; adored great- grandfather of Jason Jr., Courtney, Arianna, Aubriella, Eian, Anthony, and Seth; loving son of the late Joseph and Florence Blemel; dear brother of the late James (late Emily) Blemel; dear family friend David Searight; also survived by loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may visit the LOMBARDO FUNERAL HOME (Southtowns Chapel), 3060 Abbott Rd., near Lake Ave., on Friday from 3-6 PM, where a Funeral Service will immediately follow. In lieu of sending flowers, you may contribute to One Tree Planted (https:// onetreeplanted.org/) in Rons honor.