November 3, 2023, 73, Durham —

Ron (Skinny) DiFilippo passed away on November 3rd, 2023 after a valiant battle against cancer. 

Ron was born on August 24th, 1950 in Erie, PA to Angelo and Ann (Boris) DiFilippo. He was a 1968 graduate of McDowell High School with the nickname, “Skinny.” He proudly served in the Erie National Guard Rainbow Division for six years.

First and foremost, Ron was a Christian. He loved the Lord and was a prior member of a couple of wonderful churches, volunteering in so many areas using his God-given talents. He was a true servant helping where he saw a need, including donation counting, tech team, counseling couples having financial difficulties, ushering, greeter, kitchen helper, and driving vans and buses for the church and local school. He was part of a team assisting in the renovation of a church and putting up a Sprung Instant Structure. He loved being with kids and was a mentor and second father to several.

Once retired, he volunteered as a driver for the Erie VA transporting veterans from home to physician appointments and enjoying fellowship with other drivers. He had been an active member of the Edinboro Lions Club, coached kids’ soccer, Thrifty Threads volunteer, and helped neighbors and friends in any way he could. He even got his garage state inspection license volunteering his time to help his father make a living.

Ron was a telephone guy at heart. He loved and enjoyed a career of 37 years in this field. He worked at GTE, Adelphia, Telcove/ChoiceOne in capacities of drafting, lineman, equipment installer, and sales engineer. In his 50’s, the last company downsized and he accepted a job at Lowe’s working there for five years until he retired. Once he had to work weekends, he gave two week’s notice that he was retiring as he made it a rule to always put family first and weekend work would interfere with his goals. He also worked at Townline Hardware for a short time and had a real estate license for many years, however, would only work with one client at a time to keep his rule that family comes first.

He enjoyed yearly family vacations, many weekend trips, and camping with the family. He loved to downhill and water ski, bowl, play ping pong, tennis, and baseball, and stay fit to keep up with his grandkids. He also had a dirt bike that he and his son would go riding together. He and his son were inseparable for years although he never neglected being with his daughter. He helped her with many projects and even when she lived in North Carolina, he would go there and help her at her school for a month each year for state testing. He loved the students and had fun. “Mr. Ron” became his name. Ron ended each week with a Sunday night pizza for over 50 years. It was his way of making life easier for his family and preparing for the next work week. 

A hardworking man with many talents. Things did not come easily to him; however, he was very persistent and would work for what he wanted. He was self-reliant and very handy at fixing things around the house or would learn how to do it. Organization and keeping his home neat and clean were very important to him. Ron was usually a jovial, caring, fun-loving guy who treated everyone with respect and kindness. He was known for being a well-dressed man who was fit and strong, especially for his age. He will be missed and remembered by many.  

He is survived by his wife, Barbara (Bierer) of 45 fun and happy years, inseparable & a loving team; his daughter. Cari-Ann (R. Jason) Walls of Chapel Hill, NC; son, Darren (Nicole) of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Dominic and Gianna DiFilippo and Preston and Palmer Walls; brothers, Dennis (Gloria) of East Aurora, NY and twin, Robert; mother-in-law, Kathryn Bierer of Erie, PA and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date in 2024.   

Services have been entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.