Ronald Pere Obituary
Ronald Pere, age 92, of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 19, after a lengthy illness. He was the devoted husband to Bernice and a loving father to his children Joy, Glenn, David and Kerri. Ron was pre-deceased by his first wife, Barbara who passed away in 1993 from ALS.
In 1960, Ronnie and Barbara set their roots in South Merrick at 3400 Hewlett Avenue. It was also then, with other great friends and families that they were founding members of Temple Israel of South Merrick. The family lived for nearly 4 decades at 3400 Hewlett in a house way ahead of its time that was designed by Ron, himself. Living on the water, Ron, Barabara and the kids spent springs, summers and falls boating the Great South Bay and beyond. In the winters the family spent great vacations traveling the Caribbean, Skiing or simply going to The Concord Hotel in Monticello, which was often the best. Ronnie was also a basketball standout as a kid and bought those talents to coaching in the Merrick Boys Basketball League for over a decade.
Tough times did strike in 1988 when Barabara, at the age of 48, was diagnosed with ALS and it was Ronnie that stood steadfastly by her side, feverishly traveling the globe in search of a miracle cure. The commitment, over those 5 years, that Ronnie showed Barbara, was both stoic and unending, and came from his deep love for her. Unfortunately, after a long-battle Barbara passed on May 17th, 1993.
After a few years, Ronnie met Bernice and together they started their lives together. While Barbara was the first love of his life, Bernice stepped into that role. They spent the next 28 years living between New York and Boca Raton, until, moving full time to Boca 5-6 years ago. They spent their years together traveling the World while on cruises. They were inseparable and it seemed they spent every waking hour together. Family BBQ's, kids sporting events, going to the beach, trips back-and-forth to New York and more.
Ron was born on May 11, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. Due to family circumstances, he spent his early years, up until going into the Army, at The Pride of Judea Children's Home in Brooklyn where he made many of his lifelong friends. While many may think of an orphanage as a deterrent, Ron would say it was a fantastic childhood and cherished it as he realized in later years as he became a donor to the home. While he had a love of sports, especially basketball, it was there that he developed his skills as a talented artist. Upon graduation he was awarded a scholarship to the School of Industrial Arts. Later on his life he went back to his keen eye and highly creative skilled and started building the most magnificent wood model boats that took anywhere from one to 10 months to build, they were simply fantastic and quite frankly, museum-quality.
After Ronnie's honorable discharge from serving in the Korean war he started his own advertising agency, Ronald Pere Advertising with clients such as Hanes Hosiery, Blaupunkt Stereo, Grants Department Stores and Gralla Publications. In the early 60's Ronnie merged his agency with another Manhattan boutique agency and through the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's Ronnie was Co-CEO, lead creative director and CMO of the merged agency. The newly-formed agency specialized in consumer electronics with lifelong client Brother International of which the agency was Agency of Record for over a half a century. Along with Brother, keeping with consumer electronics, Hitachi, Sankyo and AT&T joined the agency roster. Later on his Agency won all creative and media duties for HIP (Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York), Pierre Cardin, Rums of Puerto Rico, Campari and Don Q Rum.
Ron is survived by his children Joy (David) Nearpass, Glenn (Marci), David (Julie) and Kerri (Noah) D'Alessio, 10 grandchildren, Jared (Lauren) Nearpass, Zachary (Alison) Nearpass, Brett (Drew), Adam, Brady (Natalie), Kevin, Benjamin, Spencer, Emma D'Alessio and Marley D'Alessio and 5 great-grandchildren Stevie, Crosby, Quinn, and Cooper Nearpass and Sophie Pere. He is also survived by his wife of 28 years, Bernice, and her children Scott (Michelle) Hyde and Jodi (Eric) Tetuan and Bernice's grandchildren Rebecca, Matthew and Sophia.
Donations in Ron's name may be made to the ALS Foundation (https://secure2.convio.net) or charity of your own choosing.
Service Information Friday, August 22, 2025 11:00 AM, Service At: Louis Suburban Chapel 13-01 Broadway, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, Entombment To Follow At: Cedar Park Cemetery 735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652.
