Deacon Ron Fondriest Celebrates 30 Years of Service as a Deacon

Deacon Ron Fondriest grew up in Dover and attended Dover St. Joseph for grades 1-12.  After his 8th grade year, he thought about the priesthood and went to a seminary in Pennsylvania for about 6 months, but then returned home to finish school in Dover.

Active in his Parish as a Youth

Deacon Fondriest was the fifth of seven children. While in school, he was active in sports and served his parish an altar boy and sacristan.

259 Foster Children in their Care

Deacon Fondriest married his wife Sue in 1955 and they have six biological children and one adopted child—4 boys and 3 girls. They have had the privilege of hosting 259 foster children in 23 years. They are blessed with 22 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
“All the children are one of the greatest gifts of our lives,” said Deacon Fondriest. “We keep in touch with all of our foster children too. The shortest time a child stayed with us was one week and the longest was nine years,” said Deacon Fondriest. “We enjoyed the challenge of bringing these children into our family and our children enjoyed the challenge of that too.”
About five years ago, one of the foster children came back to visit. He had grown up with a learning disability, but he had just received a master degree in social service and he owns his own home. “He thanked us for helping him. That is the reward,” said Deacon Fondriest.

Active in the Dover Parish

Deacon Fondriest was active in his parish in Dover in many ministries before he was ordained a deacon. He was a Lector, Eucharistic Minister; taught CCD for 19 years and he worked with the poor, coordinated training for servers, father-son serving, and organized support for many charities. “My children teased me that I was a deacon long before I was ordained.”

A Call to the Diaconate

He had noticed a flyer at Church about the diaconate formation program. In 1975, Father Bonaventure asked Deacon Fondriest to consider becoming a deacon. In 1976, he entered the diaconate formation program and began taking classes at the Pontifical College Josephinum and Sacred Heart Seminary in Shelby. He was ordained a deacon on August, 19th, 1979. He was in the third diaconate ordination class in the Columbus Diocese.

Diaconate Formation

‘The diaconate formation program is academic and spiritual. As you progress in academics, you grow spiritually too. The diaconate is about humble service. We are ordained to serve God and His people,” said Deacon Fondriest.

The Parish Enthusiastic about having a Deacon

“There was a great enthusiasm for the first deacon in the area, but there was little understanding about the role of the deacon so that took some time,” said Deacon Fondriest. “Fr. Bonaventure allowed me to get involved right away. I was able to preach, teach RCIA, take communion to the sick, preside at wedding and baptisms, and teach Confirmation at St. Joseph and also at surrounding parishes in Strasberg, Mineral City, and Bolider.  It took parishioners a little while to understand that the deacon was there to serve.”

Joy – Jesus, Other, Yourself

He and his wife Sue have always had a sign on their refrigerator. JOY – Jesus, Others, Yourself. “My wife is so giving and has been a wonderful support to me and the children,” said Deacon Fondriest. “She is a manager for a senior center now and I am retired and 77 years old. She is so understanding. When I look back over our years together, I see that she supported me 100%. I am so thankful for her and the also for the support of Fr. Bonaventure.”

Marriage and Children Center of Life

“In my life, I get the greatest reward in my marriage, with our children, and seeing people you have helped make it through a hardship,” said Deacon Fondriest.
Deacon Fondriest retired from a sales position for Greer Steel Co., but he is still active as a deacon. “I have to get permission from the Bishop each year to continue to serve in my diaconal ministry assignment. The retirement age is 69,” said Deacon Fondriest.
Throughout his life he took Theology classes at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and Psychology classes at Walsh College. “This helped me in my role as father, foster father, and as a deacon.”
In his free time, Deacon Fondriest enjoys restoring cars. “I am working on a 1926 Model T Ford right now. My sons tinker with cars too and I help them. It is a nice way to spend time with them.” All but one of their children is within 100 miles of Dover.

Being Open to God

In reflecting on his many years of service as a deacon, he said, “I tell people to just be open to God. God knows what we need. Respond in your prayer life by saying ‘as you wish Lord.’”
He summarizes the role of the deacon in this way. “If a deacon stays true to his calling, he can change the world.”