August 18, 2022 at 2:08 p.m.
Ron Bosi
Ron Bosi
Ron's spirituality and faith were central to his character. He was known by many for his life of service to the Catholic Church and a career in golf, as well as his warm personality, dry sense of humor, and strong dedication to family and community.
Born in Tomahawk on March 29, 1945, Ron was the son of Jean Ellen (Johnson) and Aldo Bosi. Ron grew up in the Manitowoc area and settled in Rhinelander in 1973, before splitting his seasons between Wisconsin and Alabama as a wintertime resident of the coastal community of Gulf Shores.
Ron is survived by his wife of 51 years, SanDee; two daughters, and five grandchildren, as well as two siblings and many lifelong friendships. Survivors include daughter Tanya (Kohn) with her husband, Randy, and their daughters, Savannah, Lexi and Nikkia; and daughter Tara (Hunt) with her husband, David, and their sons Emerson and Upton. He is also survived by a brother, Tom, and sister, Mary, with her husband Larry.
Ron was preceded in death by both parents, as well as a brother, Larry; and sister, Marjorie.
He built his career in the game he loved. For 36 years, Ron was the golf professional at Rhinelander Country Club and held membership in the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA) through the end of his life. He enjoyed playing as well as teaching, and many people learning to hit the ball may recall his "swing it back one, two" instructions.
When he was away from the golf course, he felt fortunate to practice his faith in ways that benefited others. He was a deacon at Nativity of Our Lord Church in Rhinelander as well as Our Lady of the Gulf in Gulf Shores, Ala. He presided over countless baptisms, marriages and funerals, and he mentored people of all ages. In many cases, the young people he worked with at the country club also happened to be in the many educational classes Ron led on religion and the sacraments. Through these connections grew numerous mentor-mentee relationships and strong friendships that were with him through the very end.
His work often transcended the walls of the church itself, having administered communion and other services to the homebound and those in nursing homes. For nearly three decades, he worked as a hospital chaplain in Rhinelander.
In his many years of attending the Hodag Country Music Festival, Ron would change into his deacon's vestment Sunday mornings to help with the service for festival-goers.
Ron cared deeply about helping others. He served on the boards of directors for Headwaters Inc., Catholic Charities and Rhinelander Area Food Pantry. He served for numerous years as chair of the Rhinelander Police and Fire Commission. He also established several support organizations to help people in the area. These included: Life Goes On, supporting those who lost loved ones; Get It Straight, encouraging young people to avoid substance abuse; and the RCC Foundation, raising money in support of the local Catholic school.
He's a past recipient of the Good Samaritan Award from Catholic Charities, and he received recognition for nearly three decades of service to the Rhinelander Athletic Booster Club. He also received an award of recognition from Ducks Unlimited for his dedication to waterfowl conservation, something that reflects a love of hunting he enjoyed for much of his life.
His passion for golf also brought several accolades. He once earned the Northeast Wisconsin Golf Association Man of the Year Award, granted to a member who exemplifies public service. In 1997, he teamed up with Kevin Widule, Pat Deau, Jim Kuczmarski and Brad Fahrenbach to win the Wisconsin sectionals of the Oldsmobile Scramble for a chance to compete nationally.
Ron continued playing golf until his health declined in recent years. He would still enjoy grabbing coffee with his old golf partners and occasionally riding along for the round as a spectator. In his later years, he enjoyed reading, doing word puzzles and lounging with his dog, Timber, often with the PGA Tour on the TV.
Visitation for Ron will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022 from 9 to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m., all at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. Interment will be in the Northland Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in Ron's and may be directed to his family. You may also leave your private condolences for the Bosi family at www.carlsonfh.com.
The Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414) is serving the Bosi family.
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