After courageously battling a brief illness, Ronald Gary DeCarli, 80, passed peacefully with his loving and devoted daughters by his bedside on June 26th, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. He was joyfully reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Kay, the love of his life whom he dearly missed and together they now rejoice in God’s eternal embrace.

Ron was born in St.Marys, Pennsylvania on December 14th, 1945, the eldest son of Mario and Denelda DeCarli. He enjoyed growing up and playing sports in the close-knit community of Bennetts Valley, Pennsylvania. He attended Clarion University where he met Kay who he credited with helping him find the right academic and spiritual path. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in education and biology and later went on to earn a master’s degree in educational administration from St. Bonaventure University.

After college, Ron began his educational career in St Marys, Pennsylvania teaching science. This is where he also began his legendary basketball coaching journey. As a young teacher and coach, Ron battled cancer and won, and that victory drove his deep belief to seize each day and live life to the fullest. From St. Marys, Ron moved on to continue coaching and teaching at Chatham High School in New Jersey and began coaching summer basketball camps. A couple of years later, this led to his being hired as an Assistant Basketball Coach at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York where he coached for five years as an Assistant before becoming their Head Coach from 1986-1989. He loved coaching college basketball and enjoyed reminiscing about his career highlights including winning the Gator Bowl Championship. After finishing his college coaching career, he continued to run a highly successful local basketball camp for student-athletes for over ten years. His memorable camp program and dynamic and enthusiastic coaching style positively impacted thousands of youth in the Western New York area.

After leaving college coaching, Ron continued impacting thousands as a motivational speaker and educator and began his career as a school administrator. He first started as a principal in Oswayo Valley, Pennsylvania and Salamanca, New York before moving on to become a superintendent in the Hinsdale, Akron, and Frontier school districts. He especially enjoyed his time working in the Akron school community.

After retiring from school administration, Ron and Kay embraced retirement by living life to the fullest in Bradenton, Florida. They loved kayaking, golfing, watching minor league baseball games, spending time at the beach, attending church and bible study and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. They took many trips around the world and were actively involved in their children and grandchildren’s lives. Many special memories were made through annual family vacations in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, taking his grandsons to almost every major league baseball stadium in the country and making every day count. Ron loved cheering on his Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers and always said he bled the black and gold.

Ron’s positive life philosophy and adventurous spirit will continue to live on in his family and the countless lives he touched. His faith in God, dedication to and love for his family and his motto to “sing your song, dream your dream, and walk your walk” will be the legacy he leaves behind. To honor him, his devoted family will always remember to seize each day, put God and family first, and never give up.

Ron was preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife, Kay DeCarli, who passed on December 27th, 2025. Ron spent the last few years providing selfless, compassionate care for her as she bravely battled Alzheimer’s. He considered it a privilege to care for her and ensure she felt safe, cared for, and loved, until she went home to be with the Lord. He is survived by his two daughters, Ronna DeCarli Lott (Ron), Jennifer DeCarli (Frank), his three grandchildren, Dr. Ron Lott (Morgan), Cameron Mario Lott (Katie) and Lola Kay DeCarli Palazzolo, sister Colleen Schauer (Ray), sister in law Nancy Feuster, his nieces, Marla Keibler, Raeann Erdesky, and Ellen Vande Bunte, his nephews Reed “Bud” Feuster, Todd Feuster, and all of their families. In addition to his wife, parents and parents-in-law, he was preceded in death by his brother Rick DeCarli and brother-in-law Reed Feuster. A private family gathering to celebrate his beautiful and impactful life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Ron DeCarli "You Can't Measure Heart" Memorial Fund at the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, Olean, NY 14760 or online at Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation. The intent of the fund is to establish a scholarship in Ron's memory to support student athletes graduating from Oswayo Valley, Hinsdale, Salamanca, Akron, Portville, Olean, Allegany or Wellsville High Schools.

https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list