A native of San Francisco, Ron and his twin brother, Lt. Col. Robert (Bob) L. Ciraulo ’57, were born to Mary and Frank Ciraulo at St. Mary’s Hospital on May 31, 1935. Ron graduated from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory (S.I.) in 1953. He continued his Jesuit education at Santa Clara University (SCU), where he received a BS in Engineering and was part of the U.S. Army ROTC. 

 

Upon graduation, Ron worked for the State of California as a Civil Engineer and led ski tours to Squaw Valley.  He went on to work for Hetch Hetchy Water & Power as a Civil Engineer for more than 33 years. Ron also played softball on SF city league teams, and was an avid fan of both the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

 

Ron thoroughly enjoyed life and being an Italian (Sicilian, to be exact).  For more than 44 years, he was an active part of the Fratellanza Club, one of the largest social clubs in America founded by Italian pioneers, including his late uncle-in-law and father-in-law.  Upon retirement, Ron fished and volunteered for San Francisco Tyee Club. He loved to spend time with his grandkids (ranging in ages from 8-17), enjoyed playing the banjo and ukelele, and making many trips to Yosemite, Disneyland, Virginia, and other destinations.  He also loved spending time at his cabins in Loch Lomond, California.

 

Ron and his twin brother were also very active alumni for both S.I. and SCU.  Together, they founded a scholarship at S.I. in honor of their late grandfather, Salvatore Ciraulo.  Ron also supported fundraising efforts spearheaded by his twin Bob to commission a new statue of St. Clare at SCU.  The statue project was initiated by their classmate Jerry Clements.  In all, 58 members of the Class of 1957 contributed more than $55,000 to create the St. Clare statue—the first outdoor statue of SCU’s namesake, which is located next to the de Saisset Museum in the St. Clare Garden.

 

Family and friends fondly recall a very charismatic and energetic man with “smiling eyes”, a great sense of humor, and a love of karaoke, cioppino, beer and calamari.  Ron made everyone he met feel instantly at ease. He had quite the “gift of gab”; a growing collection of cars, fishing poles and tie-dyed shirts; and a Sicilian zest for life, love and family.  Ron will be missed.  He is missed already.

 

Ron leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Marie Lucille (Audo) Ciraulo; his daughters Dana (Ciraulo) Young and Kara (Ciraulo) Broderick; twin sons James and John, and his bonus kid Michael Ciraulo. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law Jannine (Chun) Ciraulo, and two son-in-laws, James Broderick and Kaipolani Young.  Ron will be greatly missed by his grandchildren:  Anthony, Rosemary and Margaret Broderick; Edward Ciraulo; Liliana Ciraulo; and triplet grand-daughters: Ke’ale, Maile and Makana Young.  He was preceded in death by his fraternal twin brother Robert (Bob) Ciraulo, who passed away earlier this year on April 12, 2012 in Virginia; his parents Frank and Mary Ciraulo; and grand-daughter Angelina.  He also leaves behind many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.