Obituary of Ronald Francis Gear, Sr.

Ronald F. Gear, age 90, a current resident of Tallahassee, FL and a former longtime resident of Oak Run Country Club in Ocala, FL passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2024, surrounded by family and friends. Ronald, also known as “Ron,” was born on November 16, 1933, in Everett, MA. He is the son of the late Patrick J. Gear and the late Martha A. (O’Dwyer) Gear. Ron was raised in Everett alongside seven brothers and three sisters. He was the beloved husband of 59 years to Jean (Woods) Gear, who passed away on December 24, 2015. In the early 1960’s, Ron and Jean moved to Marshfield, MA to raise their four children. They remained there until 1977 before moving back to Everett to be closer to family. While Ron enjoyed spending time with his family, he was also an avid, finished, carpenter and was a member of the Local 218 Carpenters Union. Learning this trade from his father, he was very passionate and proud of his skill. As part of his trade, he worked in many buildings in downtown Boston, including the Prudential Building (aka “The Pru”), the John Hancock Tower and the Boston Public Library, to name a few. He often took side jobs and helped his community with special projects. Having attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA, Ron went on to be a construction inspector for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority where he retired in 1997. Ron is survived by his children, Patricia (Gear) Ameen, husband Michael, Ronald Gear, Jr, wife Kathy (Martin) Gear, Colleen (Gear) Durfee and Susan (Gear) Shackelton. Leaves behind ten grandchildren: Carrie, Jennifer, Kaitlyn, Justin, Lyndsey, Matthew, Christine, Patrick, Amanda, and Billy, fourteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Ron was the brother of Edward Gear, John Gear and James Gear. He is pre-deceased by three sisters: Marie (Gear) Woodlock, Eleanor (Gear) Feltenberger, Virginia (Gear) Barbour and four brothers: Jerome Gear, Patrick Gear, William Gear and Michael Gear. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 4:00 -8:00 pm at the Hiers Baxley Funeral Home, Timber Ridge, 9695 SW 110th Street, Ocala, FL. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at 8:30 am at the Queen of Peace Church, 6455 SW Highway 200, Ocala, FL. Interment will follow at the Florida National Veterans Cemetery in Bushnell at 12:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital @www.stjude.com. Online condolences may be sent to hiers-baxley.com.