Ron Wroczynksi

(From Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home)

A funeral mass for Ronald Joseph “Ron” Wroczynski, 74, of Lawrence will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Corpus Christi Catholic Church.

Ron died Thursday, March 4, 2021, at his home after battling a rare form of cancer.

He was born February 8, 1947, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Joseph Stanley and Sarah Grace Feehan Wroczynski.

On April 20, 1968, he married Marian Della Robbins in the All Saints Church in Jersey City, New Jersey. They remained married till his passing, enjoying over 56 years together.

Ron worked as a general manager for Red Lobster for 15 years and retired from the University of Kansas in the Student Union working the training table and satellite services where he was affectionately known as “The Hotdog Man”.

He was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. As a 35 year veteran of the Knights of Columbus and the 4th Degree, he elected to all positions of the Order. He was a Scoutmaster, a Mentor, and teacher to many young men in the Joplin, MO area. Civic duty and service to the community was a fundamental part of Ron. He was always willing to volunteer his time and talents to causes, especially those of his children. He assisted in providing special pies or food for his daughter’s Lawrence Trail Hawks trail races. His gregarious personality made him a stranger to none. He was fairly fond of fishing, gloried in the game of golf, keen on cooking; was a wonder with woodworking, a happy handyman and a strong supporter of KU football players, took pleasure in participating in glorious games with, but loved losing to, his grandchildren. He reveled in road tripping with his wonderful wife and fantastic family.

He is survived by his wife, Marian, brother Joseph Wroczynski and wife Cathy of Manchester, Pennsylvania; his children, Marian Goepfert and husband Dan of Joplin, Missouri; Ron J. Wroczynski of Belle Haven, Virginia; Roxann Zohner and husband Jakob of Post Falls, Idaho; and Caroline Wroczynski of Lawrence, Kansas; and 10 grandchildren, Billy Bender, Gabrielle Goepfert, Patrick Wroczynski, Tirza Zohner, Titus Zohner, Timaeus Zohner, Talitha Zohner, Timon Zohner, Trinity Zohner, and Tryphena Zohner.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Tuesday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, where the family will receive them from 6-7 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Douglas County Relay For Life, or flowering plants to be sent in care of the funeral home. Ron volunteered for Relay For Life and his family is grateful for the services available during his years of treatment.