Ronald “Ronnie” Seward passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. He was born on February 28, 1936, in Eatontown, New Jersey to the parents of Robert Ashton Seward, Sr. and Hilda Mae Proctor Seward.
Ronnie attended the Eatontown and Red Bank School system. He met his sweetheart, Leila “Gussie” Williams and was married on June 1, 1957, by the late Rev. John Gilchrist at Calvary Baptist Church, Red Bank, New Jersey. He was later baptized and became a member of the Men’s Choir under the late Rev. Dr. D. Crist Northington.
Ronnie started working at Monmouth Racetrack, Oceanport, NJ and enjoyed travelling with the horses. He later was employed at Lily Tulip Company in Middletown, NJ and Paterson Hospital on Ft. Monmouth. After several years, he went to work with New Jersey Turnpike in the Maintenance Department, where he worked for 16 years, until he retired.
Ronnie was an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoyed sitting in his comfortable recliner chair watching baseball, football, basketball, cowboy movies and Star Trek. He followed the Red Bank Bucs and every Thanksgiving you would see him at the Red Bank vs Long Branch games.
Right Worshipful Ronald Seward was a Past Master of Celestial Lodge No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons (Prince Hall Affiliation) where he was a member since June of 1963, he served as the Assistant Grand Architect Emeritus of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Past member of King Solomon Chapter No. 8, Holy Royal Arch Masons, a member of Samuel W. Gordon Consistory No 50, also a member of the United Supreme Council Grand Inspector General 33 degree class of 2008, Past Treasurer of Mahja Temple No. 47, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Ronnie was predeceased by his father, Robert Ashton Seward, Sr. his mother, Hilda Mae Seward, an infant son, Ronald Seward, Jr, his daughters, Melinda Seward Stump, and Irish Simpson.
He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted and loving wife, Leila Williams Seward; his brother, Robert A. Seward, Jr. of Tinton Falls, NJ; his daughter Tracy Lee Seward Lawrence (Hinesville, GA); grandchildren; Krystal Lee Stump, Mekal Seward, Trayvon Lawrence (Hinesville, GA); Randalla Lawrence, Rachela Lee Lawrence (Atlanta, GA); Ronnie Jerome Simpson (Red Bank, NJ); great-grandchildren; Jakal Stump, Victoria Lee Shank, Samaira Simpson; and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
