Obituary: Ronald G. Driessche

Ronald G. Driessche (November 19, 1938 - January 22, 2022)

Ronald G. Driessche, 83, died suddenly on January 22, 2022 at his home in Holt, MI.

Ron was born November 19, 1938 in Monroe MI, the son of Benjamin and Clara (Hagen) Driessche. He was a storied athlete and graduate of Monroe Catholic Central High School’s class of ‘56. In 1959 he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Farner and they began their life together in Monroe.

A career opportunity with the Detroit Police Department brought Ron and his young and growing family to Detroit in 1964. While working at the Belle Isle Radio Division of the Detroit Police Department, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University and went on to instruct Electronics at Macomb Community College. After his retirement from the Police Department as a Sergeant in 1995, he launched into a new career as a technical writer for the Environmental Protection Agency in Ann Arbor. After officially retiring in 2006, he and Carol enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the country and abroad. The Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee were an especially favorite destination. 

In 1989, after 34 years in Detroit, Ron and family relocated to the Village of Manchester, MI where they lived until 2014. In recent years, Ron and Carol split residences between Holt, MI and Scottsdale, AZ. 

Family, faith, and service to his community were cornerstones throughout his life. Ron was a devoted and active member of his local catholic parishes as a frequent volunteer, committee member, and usher. At St. Mary’s Church in Manchester, he also held the office of Parish Council President and served as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also enjoyed time spent with his sons as a Cub Scout leader. 

Ron will be fondly remembered for his remarkable wit and endless supply of jokes and puns, particularly those involving his proud Belgian heritage. He also leaves a legacy as an enthusiastic appreciator of music and the arts, including being a passionate member of the Manchester Gazebo Concert Committee, where he wrote numerous grants to enable community musical performances. He was also an avid photographer. His many passions have been passed on to his beloved children and grandchildren.

He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Ron is survived by his loving wife of over 62 years, Carol and their six children and eight grandchildren: Daniel Driessche and wife Mary (Peter, Elizabeth, Nicholas) of Rockford, MI; Julie Haines (Derwood) of Belleville, MI; Paul Driessche (James) of Sevierville, TN; John Driessche and wife Nancy of Phoenix, AZ; Mary Boegner and husband Kurt (Sophia) of Holt, MI; and Melissa Kramer and partner Joe Wilkinson (Cameron, Kyle) of Traverse City, MI. 2021 also marked the birth of his first great-grandchild. He is also survived by younger brother Michael and wife Jan Driessche of Tecumseh, MI, and a large extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John.

A brief visitation will be held on Saturday February 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.at  St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 210 W. Main Street,  Manchester, MI  with a funeral mass immediately following at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Ron’s Memory to either Friends of the Smokies (https://friendsofthesmokies.org) or St. Vincent Catholic Charities of Lansing, MI (https://stvcc.org)   

Please leave a message for Ron’s family, or sign his guestbook at: https://estesleadley.com/obituaries/ronald-driessche/ 

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.