TRENTON – Ron Muir died of lung cancer July 18, 2006, surrounded by friends and family in his home. His yearlong struggle to defeat cancer brought many people together. Although there were times of sadness, Ron’s ability to show everyone a good time prevailed. Ron lived for the first seven years of his life in Hamburg, Pa., with his Oma and Opa. He then moved to New York to live with his mother and stepdad. He attended primary school in New York and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, N.J., with a degree in English. Ron worked in law enforcement most of his adult life and moved to Ellsworth in 1985, where he began working for the Marine Patrol. Along with Elaine Jones, they developed the “Officer Salty” program to teach children the principles of marine conservation. He began working at Atlantic Brewing Co. in 2000, as the summer “tourmeister.” In this venue, his zeal for the sport of teaching and conversation was best utilized; he loved that job. You could count on Ron to come up with an adventure. He brought so much fun to his family and friends by taking us all to unexpected and totally spectacular places. For this we are eternally grateful. Ron also loved canoeing and the whitewater race circuit was a way of life for him. The circle of friends that he developed during these races helped bring him cheer and diversion during this past year. Ron leaves behind his wife, Cindy (Groff) Muir; three children, Brian, who is in Military Sealift Command, USNS ARCTIC, Kate of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Ben of Northeast Harbor; his mom, Lenore Schiebler Muir and her loving companion, Al Zweizig of Reading, Pa.; his brother, Bob Muir, and his wife, Maureen Hartnett Muir, and their three children, Devin, Owen and Avery, all of Providence, R.I., except for Devin who is serving in Iraq; Dr. Gerold and Audrey Schiebler of Amelia Island, Fla., and their large family; Cindy’s sister, Deb Groff, and her sweetheart, Joe Baeleff, of Tiverton, R.I., who provided them a home and comfort during their travels to Dana Farber for Ron’s treatment; John Groff and his family in Apple Valley, Calif., who also provided comfort and a place to stay when Ron decided to fly for the first time in February; and Ron’s cats, Maggie, Nat, Baby Jack and Pedro, who will miss him forever. Our deepest appreciation and sincere thanks to: Bob, Sara, Katie and John Hessler of Ellsworth; Tammy Kelley and Billy Smith of Lamoine; Doug Maffucci and Barbara Patten of Atlantic Brewing; Andy and Linda Capistron of Uxbridge, Mass.; Joyce Chornyak of Hancock County Home Care; Matt Gerald of Sweet Pea’s Winery; and, last but not least, the Healing Hands Quilters of Mount Desert Island Hospital, Bar Harbor. These people gave endless hours of their time to help Ron. If we have forgotten to mention someone, please do not take offense as they charge by the line. There will be a gathering at Ron’s home starting 2 p.m. Saturday, July 22, for family and close friends. On Sunday, July 23, there will be a gathering at Atlantic Brewing Company in Town Hill. The festivities will begin at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, although Cindy loves flowers, please feel free to make a donation to: The Ron Muir Fund for Cancer/The Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. The foundation was conceived and started by Finn and Mark Wentworth, staunch Yankee fans, testimony that the Evil Empire can bridge the gap with REDSOX nation, and Doug Maffucci, Bob Hessler and Cindy Muir. Each year this gang will get together and decide how to best direct the money raised in Ron’s memory. Regardless, the message is this: STOP SMOKING, LIVESTRONG AND FIGHT CANCER WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth.
RON MUIR
