MEDWAY: Ronald W. Judson

Ronald W. Judson age 88, of Rotonda West, Florida, and formerly of “West Medway,” Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 9, 2026. He was born on November 19, 1937, to the late Alexander and Elsie (Groehl) Judson.

Ron graduated from Medway High School in 1955 and served in the National Guard from 1955 to 1961. He was known as Ron to his friends, Dad to his children, Papa to his grandchildren, and Grand-Papa to his great-grandchildren.

Sixteen years ago, after caring for his wife, Kathleen, and then his sister, Nancy, through their battles with cancer, Ron decided it was time to live life on his own terms. He sold the only house he had ever owned and moved to what he called paradise — Southwest Florida.

Florida is also where Ron met his second wife, Patricia “Pattie” (Wool), to whom he was married for 13 years before her death in 2024.

He fully embraced the Florida lifestyle. His home was decorated with pictures of palm trees and flamingos, and he even had multiple “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere” signs. However, those signs weren’t exactly accurate. After joining the local Moose Lodge in Englewood, he became affectionately known as “2 O’clock Ron.” He would arrive promptly at 2, enjoy a couple of beers, conversation and headed back home.

Our frequent phone calls always revolved around the weather. He would say, “it’s beautiful here, just sitting on the Lanai.” He would then ask about the weather in Massachusetts, even though he already knew the forecast as he read our daily newspaper online every day.

Ron truly loved the warm weather and sunshine. He was an avid lover of classic cars, enjoyed bird watching, traveling and camping, and loved his sports teams, especially the Denver Broncos.

In the end, his mind and memory were still sharp as a tack, but sadly, his body gave out. In his final days, he asked of us three things for his funeral:

First, “I’m not a suit guy. Bury me in my shorts, short-sleeve shirt, and sandals.”

Second, “If you’re going to write anything about me, make sure you say I was from West Medway.”

And third, “Bring me back home and bury me next to your mother.”

The death of our father represents the end of a generation. So, raise a glass and cheers to 2 O’clock Ron — a man who lived his life on his own terms, enjoyed every moment of it, and soaked up as much Florida sunshine as he could.

Ron is survived by his three children: Mark and his wife, Sheila, of Medway, Robin and her husband, Scott Burroughs, of Medway and Amy and her husband, Tom Kelly, of Mendon.

Also survived by twelve grand-children; Alexander (Jennifer) Judson, Lindsey Judson, Patrick Judson, Derek (Elizabeth) Thomas, Alicia (Jonathan) Houser, Nicole (Neil) Robinson, Kendall Thomas, step-grandson Bradley (Tara) Burroughs, Matthew Oakland, Kaylee (Ron) Gehrke, Madison Oakland, and Rebecca Oakland and her fiancé, Charles Woodman, and by his seven great-grandchildren: Landon, Mason, Olivia, Nova, Reese, Chucky, and Bodie, as well as his beloved dog, Abbey.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years and the mother of his children, Kathleen (Whelan), in 2005. He was also predeceased by his second wife, Patricia “Pattie” (Wool), and his sisters, Marion (DeVita) and Nancy Judson.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 25, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, Needham, Massachusetts.

Burial will follow at 11:45 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 8 Evergreen Street, Medway, Massachusetts.