Ronald A. Berti

Our beloved husband, father, brother, Papa, uncle, and friend, Ron, 79, died tragically and suddenly, a victim of a traffic collision on Sunday, February 4, 2024. His wife of 52 years, JoAnn, was by his side and they were able to exchange words of love before he passed. Ron was an example of love, care, humor and above all hard work. He had a way of putting people at ease with his unending sense of dry humor, jokes and keeping things light. It was easy to love Ron.

Ron was a lifelong resident of Monterey County. He was born to Charles Earnest Berti and Margaret Scaroni Berti on February 25, 1944 in King City. He was the youngest of four children and grew up on the family goat farm in Soledad, where he learned the value of working hard, as he and his brothers had many tasks to do before and after school. He helped milk the goats and care for them. His love of animals grew from this early experience. Later, his passion was raising Texas Longhorn cattle. He passed on this love of animals to his children.

Ron attended Gonzales High School, where he enjoyed being on the wrestling team. He kept in touch with many high school friends throughout his life.

In the early 1960s, Ron began work as a countertop fabricator in Seaside / Sand City. He and long-time business partner, Sam Tunnell, started their own countertop and cabinet building company, Sam & Ron, Inc. in 1968. Ron installed cabinets and countertops throughout the Monterey Peninsula and the business gained a reputation for timely, quality work. He never stopped working and was still running the business, proudly working alongside his sons, until his death.

It was while on the job he met the love of his life, JoAnn. They were married in June 1972 and began their life together in Pacific Grove. Ron loved JoAnn deeply and was an exemplary husband, father, and grandfather. Ron and JoAnn raised two sons. When the boys were growing up, Ron was active in Pony Baseball as a coach and later, as a director. He remained active in baseball long after his sons had grown. He was a great supporter of the community and was a member of the Y's Men for many years.

Ron had a great love of classic cars and owned many hot rods and classic cars over the years. He enjoyed going to car shows both locally and throughout California and Nevada. He could "talk cars" for hours with other car guys. He enjoyed car clubs and at the time of his death, he was a member of Gold Coast Rods.

Ron loved the outdoors, and he and JoAnn spent weekends at the Berti Ranch in Soledad, where he tended his Texas Longhorns, worked around the ranch, and spent time with friends and family.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife JoAnn, sons Ronnie (Lisa) and Scott (Mina), grandson Carson, daughter Michele (from a previous marriage), brothers Frank (Judy) and Larry (Sandra), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Marlene (Mick) Donahue, and his business partner, Sam Tunnell.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on Sunday, March 10, 2024 from 12-3 PM at the Moose Lodge, Del Rey Oaks.

Published in King City Rustler · February 15, 2024