RONALD LEE DAME

August 11, 1941 to April 17, 2026

On Friday, April 11, 2026 at 12:15 p.m., the Lord reunited two small‑town kids from Upstate New York.

Ronald Lee Dame passed away peacefully at home, held in the arms of his namesake granddaughter, Roni Lee "Tootie" Knickel, and surrounded by his immediate family. His passing came after 1 year, 5 months, and 11 days of mourning the loss of his beloved bride June—time that briefly separated the two sweethearts after a remarkable 61‑year marriage.

Although northern‑born, Ronnie was unmistakably, southern at heart. He entered the world in Plattsburgh, New York, spent 20 years in Massachusetts, returned to his childhood stomping grounds for almost ten more years and—thanks to the encouragement of a childhood friend—retired to the Shallotte, North Carolina area, where he enjoyed 34 years of Carolina's beauty. He embraced warm weather with enthusiasm and proudly wore shorts all year long.

Known to family and friends as Ronnie, he was a deeply loved patriarch and a true self‑taught renaissance man. He had a curiosity that never dimmed, a love of history, and a knack for learning anything that caught his interest. He called himself the "Book of Knowledge," happily sharing quirky trivia with anyone willing to listen.

His Granby, MA garden was legendary, and he and his wife built a two‑story, four‑bedroom home from the ground up in Ellenberg Depot, NY. Throughout his life, Ronnie poured his energy into carpentry, organic and hydroponic gardening, woodworking, remodeling, RVing, genealogy with his wife, and beekeeping.

Though he worked many jobs to support and raise his family, his longest and most dedicated years of employment were spent at Ingersoll Rand (formerly Acme Chain) in Holyoke, MA; Schonbek Chandeliers in Plattsburgh, NY; and Downeast Portable Sanitation in the Carolinas. Ron also served proudly in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Eustis, Virginia; Thule, Greenland; and in France, as a transportation specialist. He continued his commitment to service through the U.S. Army Reserves and the U.S. Air National Guard.

Ronald is pre-deceased by his wife, June A. Gillett Dame, his mother, Irene Dame Gero, and Step-father Cecil Gero. Also pre-deceased by sons Jimmy and Duane Dame, his grandson Jonathan Weightman, and great-grand-daughter Coralie Knickel.

Ron is survived by his brother Kevin Gero (wife Darlene Smith Gero) of Altona NY. Daughters Laura Lee Dame Lytton (husband Frank Lytton) and Melissa Dame Henson of Shallotte,  and son Michael Dame (wife Diane)  of Myrtle Beach, SC;

Grandchildren: Bradley Knickel, Tootie, Harley Lytton, Samuel Lytton, Michael Falcetti, Orchid Dame, Johanna Henson, Nick Dame, and great-grand-daughters Ruthie June Falcetti, Lilliana Leah Reike, and Wren Kelty, as well as countless nieces and nephews.

He will be deeply missed by both his natural and lovingly adopted extended family. Though many of his dearest and longest‑held friends have gone before him, those who still received his yearly birthday calls and heartfelt well‑wishes may find comfort in thinking of him fondly in the years ahead.

Ron and June will be laid to rest in their hometown of Altona, New York, beside their sons and grandson, at Holy Angels Cemetery. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com

Michael J Fulwood Funeral & Cremation Service