Ronald J. Pomerleau

Ron had a couple of well-known nicknames, Ron the Bomb, RTB, Bomber, RJP and Amigo he was a well-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to so many.

Ronald J. Pomerleau was born August 7, 1938 in Waltham a son of the late Leo and Yvonne (Leger) Pomerleau. A graduate of Waltham High School (trade school) he then honorably served in the United States Navy from 1955 – 1959. He earned his Associate degree in Criminal Justice from Mass Bay Community College in 1973, his Bachelor’s degree from Boston State College in 1977 and his Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College in 1980.

Ron’s life-long love for skiing provided an opportunity to meet Revere native Rena H. Browne while skiing years back at Wildcat Mountain in NH. They later married in her native parish at Immaculate Conception Church on August 1, 1965. They made Waltham their home for more than 30years until moving to Glen, New Hampshire in 1996.

Ron enjoyed a long career in law enforcement with his much-loved City of Waltham. He was a patrolman from 1965 – 72, serving three years as medical technician on the ambulance. Then for the following ten years he was Sergeant of Police, Patrol and Operations Supervisor. Also, as Sergeant of the Traffic Division he became responsible for investigating hit and run accidents. In 1986 he was promoted to Detective Sergeant Criminal Prosecutor serving his last four years as Chief Prosecutor. Ron enjoyed a retirement in December 1992. He then worked in private investigation for over 7 years.

He served on the Board of Directors with the Police Association for over twenty years and as its President for two years. He served as editor of the Police Advertisement Book and created the Waltham Police Junior Olympics in which he was active for over 11 years.

Ron believed in volunteerism.  Throughout his life he volunteered in a variety of ways for a variety of teams, politicians and organizations.  Ron started the Greater Waltham Area Diving Association to help support his son Scott and other local divers reach their diving dreams. Ron took the time to travel around the United States watching both of his children compete in diving and ski meets.  He always volunteered at these events. Later GWADA transitioned into the Scott H. Pomerleau Memorial Foundation when is son passed in 1990. The foundation today has given well over $200,000 in Scholarships to local divers including his own granddaughter, Halia. Ron helped form and raise money for the local Cystic Fibrosis chapter. He worked with the national chapter as well in efforts to cure the disease and help those and families affected by it in the Waltham Community.

His love for skiing and full retirement meant more time skiing in New Hampshire, he combined his love for skiing with part-time work as a ski instructor at Attitash Mountain for over 7 years. In earlier Waltham ski days, he was the president of the Prospect Hill Ski Club in which he boasted a race was never lost and won three straight championships. Ron’s passion for skiing motivated him to organize annual ski trips out West and over in Europe.  He and those that joined him skied the majority of ski areas in the US.

Once Ron caught the travel bug he and Rena traveled around the world with their friends. Ron organizing groups of people he knew to tour Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Paris, Azores, Croatia, Alaska, Hawaii and dozens of other spectacular places. Each trip was meticulously planned.

He also had a love for the game of golf. He took many golfers to Myrtle Beach for over 20 years. He belonged to the Wentworth Golf Club in Jackson, NH for over 30 years. Ron valued his relationships in the Valley.

He loved New England sports, especially the Red Sox and Celtics. Never missing a game on TV. He was a huge fan of the University of Alabama football and basketball teams which started when his son Scott attended Alabama.

Ron was predeceased by his son, Scott H. Pomerleau; siblings, Gerald Pomerleau and Anne-Marie Cresswell, in-laws, Henry and Rena (Baldwin) Browne, Arlene and Daniel Delaney and Carl Lindahl.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Rena, he leaves his daughter, Roni Sue P Bower and her husband, Brian of Framingham; his grandchildren, Matthew and Halia Bower; his sister-in-law, Lois Lindal of Maryland, his cousin Roger (Regina) Leblanc; also survived by nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Ron’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, November 15th from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

To watch a broadcast of Ron’s Funeral Mass please visit https://saintjudewaltham.org/streaming

There will be an additional celebration of life for Ron in Jackson, NH at the Shannon Door Pub where he was a 70-year patron in late Spring/early Summer.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to donate in his name to The Scott H. Pomerleau Memorial Foundation, 555 Edgell Rd., Framingham, MA 01701.- Reach out to Roni Sue Bower for information of how to donate if you have any questions.