Ronald C. Hollup

Ronald Charles Hollup, age 87 passed away peacefully at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia on November 12th with loved ones by his side.  

He was predeceased by his wife, Anna (Nancy) in 1986 and leaves behind his four children Ronald, Jr., Anna Marie (Tom), Diana, John (Kristin),  many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

From a young age Ron was innovative and hard working.  As a boy he shined shoes and turned scrap metal into cash to help support his family during the depression era.  He also leaves behind three younger siblings Lenora, Carol (Joe) and Paul. He was their protector as a boy and grew up when times were tough, but often spoke of the value he gained of learning how to work hard as a result.  He tied plywood to roller skates he found while scrapping to create what became a wagon which he also used to collect more scrap and as a skateboard at times. He was a true survivor. 

In 1958 he joined the US Army, 82nd Airborne where he trained as WLR Specialist operating radar. Upon his discharge in 1962 he returned from Germany and in 1963 married Anna (Nancy) the love of his life. He devoted his life to Philadelphia Electric Company and as an electrician establishing his own contracting business. His work ethic was second to none.  He took great pride in his craft and trained several colleagues so they too could start their own business and become independent after retirement.  He was never too busy to help a friend in need. 

He chose a lifestyle of simplicity and demonstrated an altruistic spirit.  During his more than 45 years working as an electrician he replaced and repaired many outlets, bulbs, switches in exchange for a simple smile from a grieving widow or single mother as payment in full. The value of easing the burden of another was more meaningful to him than earning a dollar at times. 

He worked two jobs and provided for his family throughout their child rearing years so that his spouse could be home with their four children.  However, life had other plans for them when in 1986 he lost his wife of 23 years to cancer, left to raise a young family alone when their children were just 9, 16, 20 and 22.  He independently went on to parent his family and often spoke of how proud he was of all of his grown children- now adults and their own children and took no credit for the impact he made but gave it all to mom. His only regret in life is that his grandchildren did not have an opportunity to meet their grandmother. 

He had a wicked sense of humor;  loved his family fiercely, fishing during early years with his sons, bowling on the PECo team, poker with friends and the casino.  He lived a full life, enjoyed sharing his stories from all eras including Army jumps in Germany, fun with friends at PECO, childhood memories growing up in Philadelphia, raising his children, vacations in WIldwood, dressing as Santa in the neighborhood when well intentioned neighbors spiked the milk out of gratitude, and the list is endless.  He will be sorely missed...but the stories will live in memories for a lifetime. 

The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, November 17th, from 9:00am til 11:00am, followed by a Prayer service at 11:00am, at Joseph A. Sannutti Funeral Home, 7101 Torresdale Ave. Phila. PA 19135, Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.  

Donations in Ron's name may be made to Wounded Warrior Project,  www.woundedwarriorproject.org 

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