Ronald G. Sakola

Ronald Gene Sakola age 78, of Venice, FL, died on May 30, 2015. He was born in Elyria, Ohio on October 10, 1936 to John Stephen Sakola and Mary (Waggoner) Sakola. He graduated from West Alexandria High School. Ronald attended Wittenberg College (Springfield, Ohio) on a basketball scholarship and completed his degree in Health & Physical Education, with a Minor in Science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. To pay for school, he worked for Dayton Power & Light and became an excellent electrician. Ronald taught Jr. High Physical Education and coached basketball for the Junior High in Elyria, Ohio in 1958. He taught science at New Philadelphia High School and was the assistant basketball coach in 1959. He became the head basketball coach in 1960 at Gnadenhutten High School plus taught his subjects and girls track. In 1962 he began his career with Toledo Public Schools. First at Parkland Jr. High and eventually ending up at Start High School, teaching Health & Science in the classroom and he was the assistant football coach. At this time, Ron had part time jobs at LaSalle’s Department Store at West Gate and with Allied Van Lines. In the early 70's Ron began classes at BGSU, earning his Masters using it to work for the Toledo Public Schools Board of Education, becoming the Director of Health and Physical Education and Driver's Education until his retirement. Ron was preceded in death by his wife of over 30 years, Sally (Parent) Sakola. Both shared a love for teaching, physical education, travel, great friends and golf. Ron is survived by his sons Jon of Lorain, Ohio and Jim of Chicago, IL; sisters Carol Torge of Eaton, OH and Sandy Toney of Indianapolis, IN; and grandchildren Nicholas, Mariangela, and Veronica. He is also survived by his first wife, Frances L. Sakola. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 27th at 11 AM at Farley Funeral Home, Venice. Memorial donations may be directed to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Retreat Center, 3989 South Moon Dr., Venice, FL 34292. Their website is http://www.olph-retreat.org/