Arthur P. Ronan

Arthur P. Ronan

Passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family on April 21, 2019, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of Christine for 65 wonderful years. Loving father of Kimberly (the late Ronald) D’Avanzo, Linda (Craig) Brown, Michael (Teri) Ronan, Scott (Reneé) Ronan, and Arthur “AJ” (Jennifer) Ronan. Cherished grandfather of 14; great-grandfather of 3. Dear brother of Franklin (Carol) Ronan, Donna Lenski, and the late Lorraine Teper.

Arthur was always grateful he was able to attend Detroit Catholic Central High School as a scholarship student, which he credited with changing his life.  He was the recipient of the Fr. Canning Harrison, CSB Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013 and was inducted in the CC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018 for the unique accomplishment - never yet repeated - of earning 10 Varsity letters. 

As an accomplished athlete, Arthur was strongly recruited to play college baseball - and even tried out for the Boston Red Sox!  He became the first member of his family to attend college and chose Michigan State University, becoming a proud Spartan.

                              He earned his degree in Journalism there in 1951.                                                                                                                        

After college, Arthur served in the Marine Corp during Korean War, honorably discharged as a Sargent.  He went to work for the Ford Motor Company  and earned an MBA at night from University of Detroit.  He was committed to his career and retired as Corporate Vice President and President of Rockwell International Corp.’s Automotive Operation.  He was very instrumental in establishing Rockwell Automotive as an international supplier.

He was a passionate outdoorsman, avid reader of books, particularly history and a story-teller extraordinaire.  He could hold an audience rapt with re-telling stories of his life, family and friends. Arthur was a family man and a devoted husband. He referred to his wife, Christine, as “my beautiful girlfriend".

He believed in paying back the educational opportunities Catholic Central and MSU provided him establishing the Arthur P. ‘47 and Christine E. Ronan tuition scholarship fund at Catholic Central in 1993 and endowing a scholarship fund for students attending Michigan State University’s business school in 1991.

Visitation will take place Thursday, April 25th 3:00-9:00pm, Rosary 7:00pm at

Fred Wood Funeral Home-Rice Chapel 36100 Five Mile Rd. (E. of Levan) Livonia.

The funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 26th at 10:30am, instate 10:00am at

Our Lady of Good Counsel 47650 N. Territorial - Plymouth, MI 48170.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Progressive Lifestyles Inc. (6600 Highland Rd # 11A, Waterford Township, MI 48327) - the company providing care and support for Art’s grandsons with autism, Ross and Bryan, to live in their own home - or to Detroit Catholic Central High School in support of the Arthur P. '47 & Christine E. Ronan Scholarship Fund to pay forward the opportunity CC gave Art in his youth.

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