Ronald Molinari

Ronald Emil Molinari, 82, of High Springs, FL, passed away peacefully in company of family and with much prayer support of his St. Madeleine friends on April 5, 2024, at Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL.

Ron was born in New York, NY to Emil and Marie Molinari on February 25, 1942. He resided in Lake Worth, FL where he attended Palm Beach Junior College prior to acceptance to Loyola University School of Dentistry in New Orleans, LA. There he met his wife, Theresa. They graduated together in 1965, Ron with his DDS. He first practiced as an associate dentist in Ft. Myers, FL. before serving as an officer in the US Army at Ft. Benning, Ga. After his two-year tour of service, he and Theresa moved to Tavernier, FL where he was in private practice for over 40 years. He is still fondly remembered by many of his Keys patients there as the best and most gentle dentist they ever had. But he also had a life-long passion for underwater shipwreck discovery. So, when not being a dentist he actively pursued his dream of underwater archaeology by working with the State of Florida on salvaging and documenting the Spanish galleons in the Upper Keys and wrote a book about these experiences. He also enjoying hunting old bottles in the mangroves and metal detecting on land with his children.

After retirement in 2009, they moved to High Springs and joined St. Madeleine’s parish community which has become a true spiritual home. Ron, along with his wife, was a daily Mass goer, was active in the Pro-Life ministry, served as sacristan in the Santa Fe Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, was part of the Healing Prayer Team and was a Eucharistic Minister with Angels of Mercy, doing home visitation for many years and making numerous good friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Emil Molinari of West Palm Beach, and Marie Le Grette Salerno Molinari of Lake Worth.

Ron is survived by his wife, Theresa Mascaro Molinari of High Springs, his son Clay and wife Donna Molinari of The Villages, son Jim and wife Lara Molinari of Bradenton, daughter Marie Fishman of High Springs, five grandchildren: Caleb Molinari, Macy Molinari, Katie Molinari, Sarah Molinari and Brittany Molinari Peeler and husband Drew Peeler; stepbrother, Rick Cannon of Christoval, TX, and step-sister, Tina Molinari of Royal Palm Beach;  cousins Barbara Chiesa Meli of Oyster Bay, NY, and Connie Salerno of Crystal River, FL.

In lieu of flowers a donation to St. Madeleine’s Capital Campaign would honor Ron’s memory. 

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