Ronald J. Cleveland

Brattleboro- Ronald John, “Ronnie” Cleveland, 71, of Vine Street, a lifelong resident of town, died peacefully Wednesday morning, September 16, 2020 in the comfort of his boyhood home following a lengthy period of declining health. Ron was born in Brattleboro on August 28, 1949, the son of John and Beverly (Howell) Cleveland. At the early age of four he was stricken with polio and for several years attended a special school in Rutland for handicap children later attending school in Brattleboro. He was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969 where he served as manager for the boys’ varsity sports teams. Ron went on to attend Lyndon State College where he received his B.A. in Education in 1973. While at Lyndon he was one of the founding members of C.R.E.S. (Campus Rescue & Emergency Squad), later Lyndon State Rescue Squad, a fully licensed rescue squad that served the college campus and eight surrounding towns. He served as the organization’s second president. Following his graduation, he became a member of the faculty at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster where he taught printing for several years before establishing his own business, Code 3 Products, a fire, EMS and safety supply company located in Brattleboro. On a part-time basis he worked as a dispatcher, first for the Windham County Sheriff’s Department and later for the Vermont State Police at the Brattleboro Barracks. Ron was an accomplished graphic artist and painted the original Colonel mascot for Brattleboro Union High School. Active civically, he served as an umpire for the Little League Baseball program in Brattleboro for several years, was a longtime volunteer and member of Rescue, Inc. where he served as a vice president, and was an American Red Cross Advanced First Aid and CPR instructor as well as teaching EMT classes for Vermont Ambulance District 13 in Windham County. Ron was a 32nd Degree Mason, Brattleboro Lodge #102 F&AM, and held membership in the Brattleboro Shrine Club and Cairo Shrine Temple in Rutland where he served one term as Potentate. Ron was also a member of the Shrine Skimobile Unit, was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Shriners Hospital and had served on the Maple Sugar Bowl Game committee. Additionally, he was a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499. Ron devoted much of his life in helping others through his affiliation in emergency services and through his fraternal work. He always was willing to help anyone in need. On October 9, 1976 at Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church in Brattleboro he was married to Susan D. Pike who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of almost 44 years he leaves: his mother, Beverly Cleveland of Brattleboro; two brothers, Douglas Cleveland and wife Diane of Brattleboro and James Cleveland also of Brattleboro; and two sisters, Susan Rehbein and husband Roger of Putney and Pamela Amato and her husband Todd of Vernon. Additionally, he leaves: several aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews, Casandra, Erich, Matt, Tim, Karen, John, Heather, Alex and Pier; many additional nieces and nephews; and several great nieces, great nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father who passed away in 1985. Graveside committal services will be conducted Monday at 11:00 A.M. in Morningside Cemetery off of South Main Street with Pastor Gary DeHaas of the Windham Community Chapel officiating. For those attending, please wear a face mask and observe social distancing protocols. Memorial contributions in Ron’s name may be made to: The Shriners Hospital of Springfield (Patient Care), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/springfield; or Visiting Nurses & Hospice of VT/NH, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302.