Obituary of Ronald J. Colleran

Obituary Ronald J. Colleran (1/19/39 to 2/20/24)

 

Ronald J Colleran, formerly of Hamburg, NY, passed away with his loving family surrounding him, at Buffalo

General Hospital on Tuesday February 20, 2024. He is predeceased by his parents, John and Geraldine

(Murray) Colleran, as well as his sisters Sherlyn (Fish) and Gail (Rehac). He is survived by his loving wife

of 56 years, Jeanne (Crane) Colleran, his 4 children – C. Andrew (Roberta), Alexander, John (Roxanne),

and Jenna Piechowicz (Erik), as well as his 6 grandchildren – Alex Jr., Jack, Luke, Elaina, Anna, and Emma.

Ron was proud of his South Buffalo roots and Irish Heritage and was known by many around Western

New York as a celebrated photographer for the Buffalo News, where he worked for more than 35 years.

Ron spent his childhood in the neighborhoods of South Buffalo, and often spoke of his days growing up

there amongst friends and family throughout the years. Per his best friend Jack, the boys spent their

days busy, playing all sports, swimming at Caz Park, and connecting with other friends. He always had a

love for fast, beautiful cars, and was very proud of his first Ford Convertible, not to mention his Harley

Davidson motorcycle, which he and his friends reportedly got up to 90 mph. Ron proudly attended and

graduated from Bishop Timon High School, and wore his class ring his entire adult life. He started

working when he was quite young, with a paper route, and got a job at Fannie Farmer Candies as a

teenager. Ron later went on to work at Sears & Roebuck Automotive Department, the Ford Assembly

Plant, and eventually was hired in maintenance at the Buffalo News.

It wasn’t long after he began his career at the Buffalo News that he met a pretty girl, who was also from

South Buffalo, named Jeanne Crane. Per his best friend, he changed after that, putting aside his

somewhat wild youth to evolve into a more gentle, caring, and responsible person, settling into a

lifestyle ideal for the next phase of his life of marriage and children.

After marrying Jeanne, they resided for a short time in the neighborhoods of North Buffalo, and when

his first 2 sons were toddlers, bought their first home in West Seneca. Around this time, Ron was

promoted to the training program at the Buffalo News where he would eventually become one of their

staff photographers. Shortly after his third son John was born, he and Jeanne moved to their home in

the Village of Hamburg, where they remained for 30 years.

After retiring from the News in 2006, Ron and Jeanne moved to Ft Myers, Florida, where they enjoyed

golfing and entertaining, as well as visiting with many extended family members who reside in that part

of the country. Ron and Jeanne returned to WNY and moved back into the Village of Hamburg in 2013,

where they resided until moving into Brookdale Senior Living facility in Kenmore, NY in 2022.

Ron enjoyed many hobbies and pursuits throughout his adult and senior years. For many years he

shared a hunting cabin in the southern tier with a few good friends, and enjoyed running, a pursuit he

shared with his daughter Jenna. He was a die-hard Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres fan from day one of

both franchises. He and Jeanne loved to travel, especially to visit loved ones around the country, and to

attend various weddings and family reunions.

Those who knew Ron well would say that he always was happy to greet you, with a broad and winning

smile on his face, and would often leave you with a joke and a laugh before you parted company. A

truly charming and charismatic man, who lived a full life amongst people he loved.

Family and friends are invited to commemorate his life on Saturday March 9th , at Demmerley Funeral

Home, 21 Pierce Avenue, Hamburg from 10AM – 12PM, where a memorial service will immediately follow at 12:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Ron’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of WNY.

Please share online condolences at www.demmerleyfuneralhome.com.

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