LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Ronald Sylvio Ertola


Resident of Moraga July 22, 1930 - April 4, 2021

Ron Ertola was born in North Beach, San Francisco to Sylvio and Bruna Ertola. He graduated from Galileo High School, where he was an All City Basketball and Baseball Athlete. He was inducted into the Galileo Athletic Hall of Fame. He was awarded a dual scholarship for both sports to the University of San Francisco by legendary Coach Pete Newel. He was also offered a professional baseball contract by the Brooklyn Dodgers at the age of 16. He was later invited to Spring training by the Pittsburgh Pirates. While at Galileo he met the love of his life, Joan Lucchesi. They were married on December 1, 1950. They were happily married for 49 years, until Joan passed in June 2001. Ron was Joan's primary caretaker and never left her side while she battled Parkinson's Disease.

Ron and Joan moved to Moraga in July 1960, where they raised their two boys. Ron coached many of his son's athletic teams. They enjoyed many vacations at their lake house at Lake Wildwood. Ron enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating and spending time with friends and family. He was a successful businessman and founded his own company, State Surgical Supply in 1970, which he later sold to McKesson in 1997.

Ron is survived by his sons Brad (Jamie) and Pat (Jan) along with grandchildren Brad (Michelle), Anthony, Andrew, Kelsey, Nicholas and great granddaughter Ava. Along with his loving partner of 14 years, Marilyn Van Stralen. Ron is preceded in death by his brother Walter Bresciani, his mother, father and his wife.

Private Services are pending, due to the pandemic.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

The Multiple Sclerosis Society@

WWW. NATIONALMSSOCIETY.ORG/DONATE and fill out the form for "a gift in your loved ones memory". If you prefer to mail your donation: Send a check to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 4153 Northgate Blvd. #6, Sacramento, CA. 95834. Include the name of honoree ("in memory of..") and the name and address of person(s) you wish to notify re: the gift.