Ronald A. Tribotti, 73, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Home with his partner at his side.
Ron was the only son born to the late Phillip and Alice (Lanzella) Tribotti on June 1, 1942, in Bronx, NY. He grew up and attended school in the Bronx and in later years worked a variety of jobs from retail sales to driving a cab to dog grooming. In 1971, Ron met his partner, Robert Law, and for 45 years they lived together.
Ron enjoyed many activities including fishing, boating, and bicycling just to name a few, interspersed with frequent trips to the Bronx Zoo. Ron donated a large commercial incubator that helped the Zoo with their breeding program for a certain coastal bird species. Helping any way he could came naturally to Ron, like the time he noticed that a man who obviously had too much to drink was aimlessly wandering on foot at night on a busy street. Ron took the guy by the arm and got him out of harm’s way, and also had someone give the guy a ride away from there. And then there was the time when Ron, as a member of the civic association anti-crime patrol in his Bronx neighborhood, was one of two people who pursued and apprehended a man who had just grabbed a woman’s purse right out of her hand and was running away with it. This was how Ron lived his life. Some people have awards for their achievements, Ron helped people, and that was enough for him.
In addition to living in the Bronx, he and his partner resided at times in Westchester and on Long Island which suited Ron just fine. He was comfortable anywhere he chose to call home. Whether he was visiting or had friends over they always enjoyed his good company, a pleasant mix of laughter, and the chit chat that people seem to be fond of, especially when accompanied by cake and coffee. He dabbled a little in restoring old furniture and got to be quite good at it. While living in Westchester he served for a time as president of The Westchester Gay Men’s Association, a small group that held well-attended weekly discussions on topics of interest to the local gay community and whose members manned a volunteer hotline that dealt with issues of people who called in. It was Ron’s wish that the group take a more proactive petitioning and lobbying of elected officials approach to advocating for gay rights, and he received the support of the members to accomplish that.
In 1990, a job change for his partner had them relocating to the town of Pitcher in Chenango County, with a change from activities he had enjoyed when younger to more sedate pastimes such as local motoring, garage sale bargain hunting, season tickets to Binghamton Arena hockey games, and a good television program, preferably something with music because he always sang along and knew the words to many if not all the tunes that were playing. His family loved him.
Ron is survived by his partner of 45 years Robert Law, sister Phyllis Kern of Sayville, NY, cousin Jacqueline Mercogliano and husband Ralph of New Hyde Park, NY, cousin Richard Anobile and wife Elizabeth of Toronto, Canada, nephews, Joseph and Christopher Garafola, and by his cherished schnauzers, Bri, Xylo, and Simone.
A heartfelt thanks to the staff at Bassett Medical Center, Chenango Memorial Hospital, and the Norwich Rehabilitation & Nursing Center for providing Ron exceptional care and comfort in his time of need.
A private committal service will take place at Wayside Rest Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with the Wilson Funeral Home. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit the funeral home website at www.wilsonfh.com.