Ronald Ambrosi

Ronald Eugene 'Turk' Ambrosi, 78, of Stafford Springs, CT, died Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Evergreen Health Care Center in Stafford Springs, CT. Ron was born in Stafford, CT in April of 1929. He was the son of the late Geno and Antoinette (Panciera) Ambrosi. Ron retired in 1992 as owner of the food concessions at Stafford Motor Speedway and Ronnies Restaurant where everyone came from far and wide to enjoy ice cream. Prior to the food concessions and the restaurant, Ron was co-promoter along with Clarence Benton of all events that took place at the speedway. He has had a relationship with the speedway for close to 67 years. Until recently, people had seen him selling chair backs there. At 12 years old Ron hung around the Fair Grounds doing errands for Mr. Benton. At 15 he worked at the skating rink, which was located on the top floor of the building. At sixteen he worked the skating rink and the bowling alleys which contained eight duck pin alleys. He would put clamp skates on peoples' shoes, play recorded music and was also the bouncer. Three days a week Ron ran the bowling alleys during the fall and winter. In 1948, at the age of 18, Ron was playing baseball in the Quabog Valley League. A scout from the New York Yankees, who happened to be an umpire in the league, told the Yankees about Ron's pitching. Paul Kritchall, the head scout of the Yankees, signed Ron to a contract. He went to Hertford, North Carolina for spring training. From there he was sent to Blackstone, Virginia. The Yankees' farm team was part of the Virginia League. A few years later he tried out for the Boston Braves. Ron also played baseball for the Hamilton Standard Baseball Team in the Hartford Twilight League where one year they won the League Championship and the State Championship. At twenty-one he ran the only food and beer concession at the race track. It was located under the wooden grandstand. As co-promoter of the track, which was dirt at the time, Ron had American Motorcycle Association motorcycle races on Sundays. On Thursday evenings he had semi-pro boxing. The ring was placed at the start-finish line of the racetrack. In his varied career Ron served as a State Police Auxiliary for many years and as a deputy sheriff. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Stafford where he was a past president and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was also an honorary lifetime member of the Italian Benefit Society, and member of the New England Antique Racing Association. He was a New England Patriots and New York Yankees fan. He had many friends and knew many drivers in NASCAR. Anyone who knew Ron would always hear him say, 'You think it's easy?' He was ill for seven years with various illnesses. No it wasn't easy Ron, but you fought a good fight. He leaves his wife, Judy Ambrosi, a daughter, Lisa Lawson of Key Largo, Fl; a son, Jamie Ambrosi and his wife, Vidya of Clarksville, MD; a sister, Lucille Lucia of Stafford, CT; a step-daughter, Linda Roussey and her husband, Al of Tolland, CT; a step-son, David Cyr of Stafford, CT; a step-son Gary Cyr and his wife, Cheryl of Union, CT; and a nephew, David Lucia and his wife, Mary of Stafford, CT. He also leaves his grandchildren and step grandchildren, Ryan Lawson, Aarthi, Anand, and Anil Ambrosi, Kristin, Andrew, and Gregory Roussey and Cara Cyr. His funeral will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, with a procession forming by 9 A.M. at Introvigne Funeral Home, Inc., 51 East Main St., Stafford Springs, CT, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 A.M. at St. Edward Church, High St., Stafford Springs, CT. Burial will follow in St. Edward Cemetery, Stafford Springs, CT. Calling hours are on Tuesday from 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, 565 Ashford Center Rd, P.O. Box 156, Ashford, CT 06278. For online condolences or directions, please visit: www.introvignefuneralhome.com