Ron T. Rawlinson

May 24, 1946, to November 22, 2022

Ronnie "Ron" Thomas Rawlinson, 76, passed away on Tuesday, November 22, in his Longwood, Florida home, with his family by his side.

Ron, born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 24, 1946, was the son of Rodman and Rita Rawlinson. He grew up with his sister Arlean Fellela in a triple-decker home on Viola Street in Providence. Ron had fond memories of spending summers attending the New Port Jazz Festival, learning to sail, playing the trumpet, and making pizza at Rosie's Pizzeria. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School.

After high school, Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force. While stationed at the McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, he met the love of his life and best friend, Jean Dmytrow.

Ron and Jean were married in 1967 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs before he deployed to Vietnam as a combat air traffic controller. The couple had two children: D'Ann Rawlinson and Nicole Rawlinson Holtom. After 12 years of honorable service in the U.S. Air Force, he moved his family to Central Florida.

Ron worked on his bachelor's degree in management at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He spent the rest of his career in wine sales and distribution, working for ABC Liquors, Grantham Distributing Company, and Southern Wine and Spirits. Ron's greatest professional joy came from teaching people about wine and pairings.

Ron enjoyed spending time around the dining table with his family sharing a home-cooked meal, a bottle of wine, and a good story. He enjoyed teaching his children how to cook. Ron instilled a sense of adventure in them as the family loved to search for off-the-road spots, including unique restaurants, beaches, and experiences.

Ron is deeply missed and loved. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, cooking and grilling abilities, love for family traditions, and desire to try something new at least once.

A private sea burial service will be held in Sarasota, Florida, in 2023.

Ron is preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Nikki Rawlinson Holtom, his parents, Rodman and Rita Rawlinson, and nephew, Todd Fellela. He is survived by his wife, Jean, of Longwood, Florida; their daughter, D'Ann Rawlinson; and granddaughter, Laurel Holtom. He is also survived by his sister, Arlean Fellela, her husband Tony, and her son Ron of Barrington, Rhode Island; nieces, nephews, and sisters- and brothers-in-law.

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