I miss you so much, my baby

I learnt only Today that Ronn has passed away. It was MORE THAN a shock; it was heart-wrenching.

I remember well, very well, all those years ago, our conversations in Orange and Las Vegas.

We once consumed an ENTIRE BOTTLE of Sake, given to him by the Emperor of Japan!

I shall ALWAYS remember you Ronn.

One of my favorite memories that I can still vividly remember and often still laugh about was Brian’s 50th birthday party. Ronn, of course, as everyone knows on here, can talk forever and even start to get off topic. Anyway, Ronn (a little
tipsy, of course) was sharing his favorite times about Brian and the company with a big group of people at the party.  About 10 minutes in, people started to clap believing it was the end Ronn’s speech (not a surprise to those close to him, we knew it was not the end), but no; he continued on with his speech. At this moment I had irritated eyes looking my direction by Milt, Roxanne, Yvonne and I think even the dog Gracie who visited the house hinting at me to get Ronn to stop talking. Ronn knew his queue was getting kicked in the leg to stop. I did just that.  He said, “Okay, I get it!” with a big smile and quickly shuffled off. We all laughed. Great night.

Short story, but really funny!  Ronn and I were talking in bed about a series of different subjects (some serious, some mundane) about life, friends and past events.  Anyway, after I told him some event that happened that day, there was this long pause.  I figured maybe I said something offensive, but no, he turned over to me and said, “Do you think a snake ever chokes itself by mistake?”.  We both started crying laughing for about an hour. We even turned his idea into a fictional snake character “Chris”, who was always unsure of himself and his capabilities who would choke himself by mistake.  We even would pretend he was there with us sometimes when him and I would overreact to something stupid or when watching Wayne’s World and Beavis and Butthead (our guilty pleasure).

Death Is Nothing At All
By Henry Scott-Holland

Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.

Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
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Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep... (Mary Frye (1932))

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
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As we all know, when Ronn spoke, people listened although if you let him, he could go on forever. Thisparticular conference, Ronn got up on stage and spoke passionately about Vanguard, Security and Compliance and how grateful he was for all of the attendees that came. He never lost site of the roots and foundation of Vanguard…..Training, Support and Service. That is what he founded this company on and staked his reputation on.

If you wanted to understand how RACF worked, call Vanguard. If you wanted a special technical conversation for a problem you were having, call Vanguard. If you needed Software tools to lock down your environment, call Vanguard and we will support you. If you needed specific training, call Vanguard.

To this day, long time Clients of Vanguard and Older Veterans in the industry, remember the days when Ronn taught them RACF. Most of them were in attendance this day along with newer attendees over the last 10-15 years, there to go to the training event.

The Proudest Moment in my Sales Career-Ronn going on about Vanguard, halts his adlib speech and asked all of the Vanguard employees in attendance to join him on stage. Once we were all assembled, the attendees in unison all stood up and gave us a standing ovation. Seemed like they stood and clapped forever. Ronn smiling and very proud of his organization, knowing how much work from everyone that goes into putting on a conference and running this business, let all the Vanguard employees bask in the admiration, recognition from our Clients.



Truly a very Special Moment. Thank you Ronn, your legacy will go on forever.


Robert Garofalo

Remember Me

Speak of me as you have always done.
Remember the good times, laughter, and fun.

Share the happy memories that we’ve made.
Do not let them wither or fade.

I’ll be with you in the summer’s sun.
And when the winter’s chill has come.

I’ll be the voice that whispers in the breeze.
I’m peaceful now, put your mind at ease.

I’ve rested my eyes and gone to sleep.
But memories we’ve shared are yours to keep.

Sometimes our final days may be a test.
But remember me when I was at my best.

Although things may not be the same,
Don’t be afraid to use my name.

Let your sorrow last for just a while.
Comfort each other and try to smile.

I’ve lived a life filled with joy and fun.
Live on now, make me proud of what you’ll become.