January 15, 1947 — June 2, 2025
Ronald James Surette, 78, of Reading, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Rita Surette; son, Jason Surette of Reading; daughter, Jessica Surette and her husband, Alex Gasik; grandchildren, Evelyn and Daniel, of Melrose; and daughter, Julie McCarthy and her husband, Marc, and their grandchildren, Cian and Cormac, of Epping, NH. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Duncan of Wakefield; his brother William Surette and wife Marion of Nova Scotia, and many nieces and nephews.
Born on January 15, 1947, in Wakefield, MA, Ronald was the youngest of five children to Irene (Bennett) and Reuben Surette. He grew up in Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1965. He enlisted in the Air Force and honorably served his country in Vietnam as an air policeman handling sentry dogs.
After the service, Ron went to work for the telephone company. He and his first wife, Susan Surette (1953 -2003), bought his great-aunt’s old home in Reading. Together, they lovingly renovated it and raised their family. Ron cooked big breakfasts and bigger pots of chili on the weekends, and hosted friends and family by the backyard pool.
After marrying Rita, they enjoyed traveling to Canada and reconnecting with his service buddies through the Vietnam Dog Handler Association. They often brought their German Shepard, Jo, along with them. They also spent time in Maine every summer, enjoying their lakeside cottage and taking windjammer cruises out of Camden.
Ron was honest, hard-working, and soft spoken – a true throwback to older times and courtesies. He had a warm smile and friendly manner that endeared him even to strangers. Ron loved a good joke, including watching The Three Stooges marathons on New Year’s Eve. His values, kindness, and spirit will live on with his family and many friends.
The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of CareOne at Essex Park in Beverly for providing Ron with care during the last few months of his life.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading, MA, where Ron was a devoted parishioner. Interment to follow at Charles Lawn Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome. Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home, Wakefield. There will be no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vietnam Dog Handler Association in Ron’s memory: VDHA, 10125 Skye Saddle Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89166.
