Ronald O. Valdiserri

Ronald O. Valdiserri, 90, died Thursday morning, Jan. 14, 2021, at the Hawthorne Woods Assisted Living Facility in Washington, Pa. He was born on June 16, 1930, in Belle Vernon, the son of the late Oriano and Lena Salotti Valdiserri. While he was growing up, “RO,” as he was known to family and friends, worked alongside his father, mother and brother in their family-owned bakery on Fallowfield Avenue in Charleroi. Along with two uncles, who also owned and operated bakeries in the Mon Valley, in both Belle Vernon and Bentleyville, he carried on a tradition started by his grandparents, Luigi and Amelia Valdiserri, who had opened a bakery in Belle Vernon after immigrating from Italy. Eventually, Ron opened his own bakery in Monessen, first on Knox Avenue and several years later on Grand Boulevard in what was then known as the Loblaw Plaza. Ron was married for more than 71 years to Edwina DiGregorio Valdiserri and together they ran Valdiserri’s Bakery and raised three children. With changing times and seeking new business opportunities, Ron and his wife moved in 1975 to Florida, where he spent seven years working for Publix Supermarkets as a bakery manager. This was followed by a 13-year career with the Broward County School District, where “RO” or “Chef V” as he was named by his students, taught commercial baking. Prior to his retirement in 1996 and his move back to Western Pennsylvania, he served as a department head at the Sheridan Vocational School in Hollywood, Fla. Ron loved to be active and for many years after his retirement, he headed up a brigade of volunteers who made and sold hundreds of holiday nut rolls for the former St. Anthony’s Parish in Monongahela. Along with many of his male buddies, he helped to build the structures that occupy St. Anthony’s Park, which served for many years as the site of the annual summer Festa. Ron and his wife were also active members of the Italian American Heritage Society of Monessen and helped to organize the club’s annual porchetta. Always ready to help out, “RO” was a source of strength for his family and friends and was much admired for his never-failing positive attitude, despite the many medical issues he faced in recent times. Those who knew him will miss him dearly. In addition to his parents and his brother, Albert Valdiserri, Ron was preceded in death by his son, Dr. Edwin Valdiserri. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Edwina Valdiserri; his daughter, Orianne Cattaneo (Jack) of Monongahela; his granddaughter, Jennifer Cattaneo of Monongahela, his son, Dr. Ronald O. Valdiserri (Raymond) of McMurray; and several nieces and nephews. In light of pandemic precautions, there will be no public visitation. However, family and friends are welcome to attend a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Epiphany of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 44 Pennsylvania Blvd., Monessen. Interment will follow in Monongahela Cemetery. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com. Arrangements entrusted to DALFONSO-BILLICK FUNERAL HOME INC. AND CREMATION SERVICES, 441 Reed Ave. Monessen.