Obituary of Silvio Peter Ronga

Silvio Peter Ronga, 93, of 433 Hunt Road, passed away Sunday evening, September 22, 2014 in his home peacefully as he wanted. He was the husband of the late Carmela "Millie" Caruso Ronga whom he married December 8, 1943 and who died February 27, 2013 after 70 years of beautiful marriage. An area resident since 1975, he was born December 8, 1920 in Pedemonte, Italy, the son of the late Giovanni and Luigia Baldino Ronga. He came to the United States at the age of 14 speaking only Italian. He soon got a job in the kitchen of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue in New York City and worked his way to being head manager of the famous Royal Box nightclub at the Americana and later, of the Copacabana in Manhattan. Known as "Peter of the Royal Box", it was during these years that he knew the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and others. Peter was an amazing person who accomplished everything he set out to do and never gave up. He did what he wanted to do and always held the utmost level of respect and honesty in life. He was a very respective kind of person who was looked up to by many. All of his hard work paid off when he later retired to Jamestown at the age of 50 with his wife, Millie, who was born here in Jamestown. Together they lived a beautiful, loving life and were in love to the very end. They always enjoyed dancing, being social and having gatherings in their home. They were known as the most sweet, loving couple at the Rod & Gun Club. Peter was a member of the Mount Moriah Lodge No. 145 Free and Accepted Masons, having been raised to the Sublime degree of Master Mason in 1945, and was recognized for having completed 55 years of loyal support and dedication to the Masonic Fraternity. He later became a member of the Ismailia Temple Shrine Club in Jamestown. Peter will be remembered as a strong, hard working and honest man who took great pride in all of his efforts to support, love and care for his late wife, Millie. She was the light of his life as he was hers. Silvio will be greatly missed on the physical earth. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son, John Silvio Ronga in 2010. Peter is survived by a granddaughter, Nicholette C. Ronga of San Francisco, CA, who was by his side when he passed. Also surviving is a step-son, Peter Rizzuto of Aspen, as well as his wife's Caruso family, and the much loving support of Mayta Jean Work and all of the Hospice girls. At Peter's request, no funeral service or visitation will be observed. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750.