Naugatuck – Ronald Garth Rader, age 67, of 291 Spring Street, husband of Roseceil (Sirtowt) Rader, passed away Saturday November 14, 2015 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a two year illness.
Ron was born in Waterbury, CT on December 8, 1947, son of the late Ralph W. and Martha (Mausteller) Rader. He attended local schools, was a veteran of the U.S Airforce and served a tour of duty in Thailand. He worked at AMF Alcort and was a customer service representative at Scholastic Books in Danbury.
Mr. Rader was the sexton at Salem Lutheran Church for many years. He loved classic cars, especially Thunderbirds, Pontiacs, and Buicks. Ron had a passion for drag races, car shows, car cruises and swap meets. He was the honored member of four local cruises: The Wandering Misfits, The Hitchcock Lake Cruise, Yankee Cruisers and Brass City Cruisers. Ron enjoyed trips to Williamsport, PA, Macedonia Brook State Park in Kent, and seafood at Jimmie’s and the Chowderpot.
Besides his wife of 43 years, Mr. Rader is survived by his three cousins, Kerry Mausteller of Montgomery, PA, Virginia Rabert of Jersey Shore, PA, and Kelly Schweikart of Linden, PA. He also leaves behind his best friends; Larry St-Sauveur of Oakville, Gary and Holly Bushey of Bethlehem, and his devoted caregivers, Noelle Bakstis, Judy Koskelowski, R.N., and Judy Wilcox of Berlin, CT.
The Rader family wishes to thank the staff of St. Mary’s Hospital, the Harold Leever Cancer Center, New England Home Care, Glendale Center, Paradigm Health Care of Prospect, and Hartford Health Hospice Care for their exceptional care and compassion.
All funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron Rader’s memory can be made to Wells Valley Cat Sanctuary, 8 Wells Road, New Milford, CT 06776. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com
