DALTON, Mass. — Ronald Joseph Marcella Sr., 78, of Dalton went into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, in the comfort of his home. He was surrounded by his loving family and his devoted wife of 56 years, Mary Ann. 

Born November 8, 1937, he was the son of the late Marie (Cassella) and Antonio Marcella. He was a 1955 graduate of Dalton High School and a 1959 college graduate of Northampton Business School. On October 3, 1959, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Mary Ann Cebula, at Holy Family Church. 

Ronald was an active member of his community. He served as past president of the following organizations: Junior Chamber of Commerce (1965), Dalton Rotary, UNICO of the Berkshires, Massachusetts Justice of the Peace, Berkshire County Football Officials Association, Dalton CRA and the Massachusetts Deputy Sheriff Association. He was a member of the Dalton Finance Committee, Dalton Commissioner of Trust Funds and served as the Dalton Town Moderator. He was the treasurer of the Massachusetts Deputy Sheriff Association until his retirement in 2015. He served as a coach for Dalton Junior Football for 15 years and facilitated the Pittsfield Soap Box Derby, which qualified in the championship tournament in Akron, Ohio, in 1966. He was a founding member of the Italian-American organizations UNICO and CIAO of the Berkshires. 

He was a communicant of Saint Agnes Parish and was very active on the Finance and Fundraising Committees. In 1999, he was awarded the outstanding parishioner award from Saint Agnes Parish for his many years of loyalty and talent in various ministries of the wider community. 

He began his career at Royal Globe Insurance Company as an insurance adjustor. He was the manager for the General Adjustment Bureau and served as an auctioneer for the Massachusetts Auctioneers Association. He retired in 2015 after 39 years as a Civil Deputy Sheriff in Berkshire County. He served as Chief Deputy for more than 30 years. 

He also owned and operated Marcella's Package, Variety & Catering for more than 15 years, until it was sold in 1986. In 1993 and 1996, he was awarded the Deputy Sheriff of the Year award by the Massachusetts Deputy Sheriff's Association. From 1999 to 2002, he served as Grand Knight to the Knights of Columbus Council #411. In 2002, he was awarded the CRA Gib Kittredge Award for his outstanding contributions and service to the youth programs of the community. 

He was an avid hunter, world traveler and season ticket holder for the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He loved to make people laugh, with countless jokes and stories. 

He leaves behind his wife Mary Ann; his sons Ronald J. Marcella Jr. (Diane) of Pittsfield and Antonio J. Marcella Sr. (Teresa) of Dalton; his daughter Ann Marie Forfa (Thomas) of Dalton; a brother, Anthony Marcella (Saundra) of Dalton; his adoring grandchildren whom he couldn't brag enough about, Ronald J. Marcella III, Antonio J. Marcella Jr. (Meghann Kocjan), Meghan Marcella (Eric Brigham), Jessica Marcella, Emily Marcella, Ryan Forfa and Ethan Forfa. He also leaves behind his beloved Pomeranian, Holly. 

He was predeceased by his sisters, Mary Marcella, Elizabeth Shook and Catherine Defaria; and his brother Francis Marcella.

Funeral services: Funeral services for Ronald J. Marcella Sr., will be held Saturday, April 2, at 8:15 a.m. from Dery-Foley Funeral Home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at St. Agnes Church with Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell presiding and the Rev. Christopher A. Malatesta as celebrant. Burial will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery. 

Calling hours will be Friday, April 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dalton Junior Football or Post 68 Legion Baseball in Pittsfield, in care of Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 Main Street, Dalton, MA 01226.