Ronald Meola

Ronald “Ronnie” Meola, of Clifton, passed away on his 68th birthday, September 21, 2025, following a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer, with his family at his side. 

Born in Paterson, Ron was a lifelong resident of Clifton. He was employed as a Facilities Supervisor with the Passaic Valley Water Commission in Totowa since 2015 and had previously worked at Medtronic in Elizabeth (2011–2014) and Pfizer in Clifton (1990–2010). A parishioner of St. Paul RC Church in Clifton, Ron was also an original founder of and devoted member of the Meadowlands Street Rods and the greater street rod community, where his friendships ran as deep as his love for the cars themselves. An avid machinist, he was always quick to lend a hand.

Ron was predeceased by his parents, Paul (2002) and Germaine (née Teixeira) Meola (2019). 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Diana (née Rocco) Meola of Clifton; his two devoted daughters, Patricia (Tricia) Meola and her husband, Ron Cunningham, of Morris Plains, and Gina Meola of Clifton; his two siblings, Paul D. Meola, and Lynn Gojanovich and her husband, Bob, all of Easton, PA; and his sisters- and brothers-in-law: Danette Kashetta and her husband, Steve Kralovich, of Upper Black Eddy, PA; Donna Ryan and her husband, John, of Doylestown, PA; and Daria Giardelli and her husband, Richard, of Bradenton, FL. He will also be lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews: Ryan Kashetta, Adam Gojanovich, Katharine Meola, John Ryan, and Natalie Ryan, along with his extended family and many dear friends.

Visiting will be Wednesday from 4–8 pm at Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton. Funeral Thursday, 9:15 am from the funeral home and 10:00 am at St. Paul RC Church, corner of Union Avenue and Second Street, Clifton. Entombment to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton. In tribute to Ronnie’s love of the street rod community, friends with hot rods or classic cars are encouraged to bring them, weather permitting.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

            •          Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org), 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 

            •          St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Please visit www.bizubquinlan.com to leave online condolences to Ronnie’s family on the Tribute Wall of his obituary page.

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