Ronald S. Gawinski

Ronald S. Gawinski, 81, of Wilmington, Delaware, passed away suddenly but peacefully in the comfort of his home on Monday, November 13, 2023.

He was predeceased by his mother, Cecilia Kehnast; his step-father, Albert Kehnast; and his son, Ronald J. Gawinski. 

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Joanne E. (Rutkowski) Gawinski; daughters, Deborah Dolan (Bruce) and Teresa Vivolo (Steven); daughter-in-law, Patti Gawinski; grandchildren, Adam Gawinski (Taylor), Rebecca Dolan, Allison Gawinski, Luke Dolan, Dominic Vivolo, and Sophia Vivolo; sisters, Lorraine Whaley (Jack), Carol Migliocco (Butch), Ann Marie Gawinski of Hollywood, Fla., and Alberta Hirt (Randy); sister-in-law, Clare Rutkowski; step-sister, Joanne Jarrell; and step-brother, Paul Kehnast.

Ron was a lifelong member of St. Hedwig Catholic Church. He attended Brown Technical High School. From his teen years until retirement, he was employed with Canby C. Mammele’s Paint Store. Known far and wide as the best paint color match expert, Ron was the go-to man for matching challenging historic colors for numerous du Pont estates in the Brandywine Valley. He began as a stock boy at Mammele’s and retired as a manager after more than 50 years with the company.  

Ron loved his family beyond all else, and hunting and fishing were his lifelong passions from a young age. He was a member of the West End Rod and Gun Club and later the Penn Dell Archery Club near Kennett Square. He took every opportunity to get on the water or in a tree stand. A lifelong New Castle County and City of Wilmington resident, Ron was a true outdoorsman and equally at home in his stomping grounds in Sussex County. He had many fond memories of time spent there over the years with friends, cousins, in-laws, and fishing and hunting buddies not to mention vacation time with his family at Trap Pond State Park and at the beach.

Ron will be dearly missed by his loving family.

Family and friends are invited to visit at St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Church, 408 S. Harrison Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19805, on Tuesday, November 21, from 9:00–10:15AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30AM, immediately followed by burial at Cathedral Cemetery. 

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