Ronald M. McNally

Former Newtown Resident

Ronald M. “Popsie” McNally, 75, who lived for several years in Newtown and then returned to his native town of Caldwell, N.J., died February 26 in Arbor Glen Center, Cedar Grove, N.J. He was born September 9, 1931, in Jersey City, and lived most of his life in Caldwell.

Mr McNally graduated from Immaculate Conception High School, Montclair, N.J., in 1949 and attended St Peter’s College in Jersey City. He was proud to make the freshman basketball team there and was known for his “jive” drum playing. He served eight years in the Naval Reserves.

He was an avid sports fan and loved coaching basketball for St Raphael’s Elementary School, and Little League Baseball for the town of Livingston.

He was actively employed as a real estate broker for more that 50 years, spending the last 12 years working with his good friend, Bill Dietrich of The William A. Dietrich Realtors, Caldwell.

Mr McNally was a novice poet who loved the written word and was a true romantic at heart. He loved to sing and would be the first to stand up at public events to belt out a Frank Sinatra song. His love for nature and all of God’s gifts brought him great pleasure. His favorite place to be was with his extended family at the Jersey Shore. His religious devotion brought him great comfort and joy.

His children Scott McNally, Kevin McNally, Pam Jordan, Jill Moore, and Kerri Lenahan survive him, as do his sisters, Joan Josephsen and Janet McNally. He was the loving “Popsie” to Ryan McNally, Kristen Behr, Erin McNally, Connor McNally, Shanna Palmisano, Michelle Moore, Colin Moore, Kyle Jordan, Kurt Jordan, Eric Lenahan, Courtney Lenahan, and Taylor McNally. Mr McNally was the great-grandfather of Isabelle and Julian Palmisano. Mr McNally was predeceased by his brother, Joseph McNally, Jr; his mother Ethel (West) McNally; and his father, Joseph McNally, Sr.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 am, Sat, March 3, at St Aloysius R.C. Church, Caldwell, N.J. Interment will be private.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to St Aloysius R.C. Church, 219 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell NJ 07006.

The Newtown Bee        March 2, 2007