Ronald (Ron) Roman Gralin ,86, of Fernandina Beach, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at the Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring in Fernandina Beach, FL.

Born on October 6, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois; Ron was the son of the late Roman Edmund Gralin and Marcella Barbara Maruszak. Ronald graduated from Steinmetz High School in 1956 and enrolled in DeVry Technical School where he studied electronics. He graduated from Wright Junior College and transferred to the University of Florida where he graduated in 1962 with Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

After graduation, Ron went to the Naval Officer Candidate School. He served as a Lieutenant on the aircraft carrier, the USS Shangri-La (CVA-38). While in the Navy, Ronald married Janet Munroe in 1964 in Jacksonville, FL.

He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1965 and pursued various industrial sales occupations resulting in moves for the young couple and growing family. They moved for job opportunities in the northeast and then to the Midwest. At a point in the family’s life it was decided it would be best to return to Florida to raise his family and start his own insurance agency in Stuart, FL, in 1975.

After retiring in 1995, the couple moved to Hendersonville, NC, where Ron refurbished two homes. While in North Carolina he enjoyed square dancing with Janet. He also started his hobby of wine making and beer crafting; hobbies that he continued throughout retirement. They moved to Fernandina Beach in 2004.

Ron enjoyed many hobbies with friends throughout the years: Golf with “Marty” in Pittsburgh, PA, and sailing with “Carl” in St. Louis, MO. He enjoyed photography with “Ned” and playing the organ with “Rich” in Stuart, FL. He enjoyed the camaraderie of Pétanque, when playing partners with “Jim” in Fernanda Beach, FL.
He liked the solitude of bike riding in the Pisgah Forest in Hendersonville, NC and in Fort Clinch State Park, on Amelia Island, FL.

He leaves behind his spouse, Janet of 60 years; his daughter, Stephanie Gralin-O’Mara; his son, John Gralin and his wife Kristie Gralin; two sisters, Bonnie Sauer and Connie Vassalotti and brother, Donald Gralin and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 21st, 2024, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Fernandina Beach. He will be interned at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Rather than flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ron’s name to Community Hospice and Palliative Care, The Warner Center, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 [or at https://thefoundationcares.org/give/ (Designation – Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring, In memory of Ronald Gralin)].