Ronald A. Estes of Lenox died quickly and unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Born on January 17, 1943, Ron was the son of Paul and Esther Williams Estes. He was raised in Dalton, graduating from Dalton High School in 1961. Always an athlete, Ron was recently inducted into the “Monday Morning Quarterback Club” of the Dalton Football Hall of Fame.
Ron graduated from Ryder College, where he met his life partner, Myrna Wolfson. They were married in 1968. He taught social studies at Taconic High School for 35 years. Ron’s true passion was sports—competing in and mastering many himself, and coaching and encouraging hundreds of kids and adults.
A savvy and tough competitor, Ron was a champion paddler. He competed in 109 canoe races throughout New England and New York from 1981 through 2006, including the grueling General Clinton 70-mile Regatta in Cooperstown, N.Y., which he won 10 times. He competed in the Josh Billings for 20 years, always finishing in the top 10 and once placing second overall. Several of his teams won the “All Berkshire” category.
As a runner, Ron clocked 15 minutes 12 seconds in the Independence Day Run at age 50.
Ron was the long-time ski coach for Taconic High School, where his teams won multiple Berkshire County and Tri-State Championships.
Ron had to ski 100 days a year no matter the conditions. If Jiminy Peak closed before his 100th day, he would walk up the slope and ski down to meet his goal. After snow season, Ron rigorously played tennis and trained by running throughout the neighborhood. He and Myrna were part of the Berkshire (non)Hunt Rides on Lenox Mountain, which were always followed by dinner at Eastover.
More recently, Ron took up sport fishing, making new friends and working with wounded veterans through Operation Reel Heroes Cape Cod, which works closely with the Wounded Warrior Project and has taken more than 300 veterans on fishing weekends.
Ron was a loyal and supportive friend to people of all ages, whether he had known them since boyhood or met them just recently. Many called him “coach” or “captain” because he easily mentored and encouraged everyone in the endeavors that mattered most to them.
In addition to his wife, Myrna, Ron is survived by his brother-in-law, Jordan Gallarani and his nieces nephews, Susan Allen, Ellen Gallarani, and Howard Lipson, and their families. He was predeceased by his sister, Sandra Gallarani; Steven and Elizabeth Lipson; his nephew Richard Lipson; and his greatnephew, Jared Lipson.
Ron’s friends are invited to share stories and celebrate his memory at The Lodge at Bousquet in Pittsfield from 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox. The Rev. Rich Hayes, retired Hospice Chaplain, will officiate. Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to Operation Reel Heroes Cape Cod on their website or in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, please visit the funeral home’s website.
