Ronald Gene Garitone, 77

The day the world lost a great man. An ordinary man who led an extraordinary life. A patriarch of family and friends. A compassionate man to all he knew. A man whose legacy will live on forever. The Honorable Mayor Ronald Gene Garitone of Wallace, Idaho.

After a long three-year battle, Ron lost to cancer at the age of 77 on Jan. 16, 2017, at the Hospice House of Coeur d’Alene. He vowed to fight until the bitter end and that he did. His primary goal was simple — to spend more time with family and friends. He was most happy in being with his grandkids — from being fun and silly, dancing and laughing, supportive and nurturing, he was always there for them creating a bond that will never be broken. He cherished the time spent with friends, both on and off the golf course, as “friends are the family we choose.” Ron had a great love for his dogs who were his faithful companions Coco, Murray, Abby and Buddy. They were all just that — his buddy.

Ron was born on May 23, 1939, in Wallace and was the son of Gene and Evelyn (Rowley) Garitone.

Ron attended and graduated from Mullan High School in 1958. He had also attended North Idaho College.

On April 28, 1962, Ron married Kay Kelly at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Wallace; they would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year.

Ron had worked for the Idaho Transportation Department for 40 years; he retired in 1997.

A Mullan boy who fell in love with Wallace, Ron started his public service as a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, was appointed to Wallace City Council and then was elected and served as mayor for the city of Wallace from 1998-2009. He was passionate in his work and truly had the best interests of Wallace at heart.

Ron had many accomplishments and awards including past president of the Silver Valley Junior Chamber of Commerce; was the Junior Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1968; was a member and past exalted ruler of the Wallace Elks No. 331; was Elk of the Year in 1980; was past president of the Shoshone Golf Club and received the Home Town Hero Award in 2003. Ron also played in the Wallace Elks Drum & Bugle Corp and entertained us all in his performances as The Black Swan in Slippery Gulch celebrations.

There are no words that can truly do Ron justice but can be simply expressed as “the greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires but in his integrity and his ability to positively affect those around him.”

Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Kay Garitone of the family home in Wallace; three children, Lori Ogren of Issaquah, Wash., Marc (Stacey) Garitone of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Lisa (Brian) Jordan of Ravensdale, Wash.; four grandchildren, Andrew (Ember) Garitone, Elizabeth Garitone, Madison and Aidan Jordan; two great-grandchildren, Stella and Graham Garitone; two brothers, Mike (Nancy) Garitone of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Gary (Kris) Garitone of Mullan, Idaho; and one sister, Pam (Tom) Carrico of Mullan, Idaho. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, upstairs of the Wallace Elks with Pastor Art Fleming and Past Exalted Rulers of the Wallace Elks officiating. A reception will be held downstairs of the Elks following services.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Shoshone Cancer Resource Center, P.O. Box 261, Kellogg, ID 83837; or to the Wallace Swimming Pool, c/o City of Wallace, 703 Cedar St., Wallace, ID 83873; or to the Wallace Elks, 419 Cedar St., Wallace, ID 83873 or to the Good Samaritan Society — Silver Wood Village, P.O. Box 358, Silverton, ID 83867.

One may sign Ron’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, Idaho, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.