Martin Thomas Ronan died on July 30, 2020, three days after his 81st birthday due to complications of Parkinson’s disease and multiple serious infections. Martin (Marty) was born in Chicago on July 27, 1939, the fourth child of Margaret and James Ronan. He attended St. Philip Neri grade school and St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1961.
When President John Kennedy started the Peace Corps in 1961, Marty enthusiastically joined the first group, and he served two years in Chile. Marty earned a Masters Degree in Communications at Syracuse University, and then began his 28-year career with the United States Information Agency, where he promoted U.S. interests through public diplomacy in the press, radio, and television. His first overseas assignment was to Caracas, Venezuela where, as luck would have it, he met and married his wife, Clemencia, in 1979. In subsequent years together, they completed assignments in Guatemala and in India before returning to the U.S. After retirement, Marty continued his audiovisual work on smaller government contracts in Moldova, Puerto Rico, and in various American cities.
Marty fought a quiet and courageous battle against Parkinson’s disease for about 10 years but kept the cheerful, positive attitude and the ready smile and wit that endeared him to so many. He was proud of his Irish heritage and loved his family and friends, and maintained interest in their lives and those of his many nieces and nephews. He believed in the goodness of our country and was very proud to have served in our Federal Government to promote our mission to others abroad.
When Marty entered the Peace Corps in summer of 1961, his orientation and training took place at Notre Dame. Father Theodore Hesburgh, President of Notre Dame, was a strong supporter of the Peace Corps and helped the fledgling program get off to a good start. He took a personal interest in all the volunteers and maintained a bond with them long afterwards. Marty’s ties with his Peace Corps colleagues and with Notre Dame lasted a lifetime and were renewed with periodic fun-filled reunions.
His parents preceded him in death, as did his sister, Margaret Healy, his brother John, and his nephews John D. Ronan and James Ronan IV. He is survived by his loving wife, Clemencia, with whom he shared 40 happy years, and also by his brother James (Lucy), sister-in-law Martha Sud (Krishen), Amalia Kerr (Gary), and brother-in-law, Manuel Santaella (Karen). His nieces and nephews were important people in his life, and they shared mutual concern and love for each other. They are: Thomas Healy, Sivan and Vikram Sud, Mary Ronan Hills, Catherine Ronan Karrels, Grace Ronan, Susan Lynch, Patricia Corey, Steven, Michael, and James Healy, and Timothy, Christopher, Kevin, and Terry Ronan, Haakon, Karsten, and Thoren Santaella, and Kristian Kerr.
Because of the Covid 19 restrictions on size of crowds, a funeral service will be limited to family. Burial will be in the family plot in Chicago at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation, 5255 Loughboro Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016. Phone: (202) 537‐4257. Please make checks payable to: Sibley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Dear Clemencia,
My deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. Marty will always be remembered for his lively spirit and great joy of life. May he Rest In Peace.
Marty always had a smile on his face.
Marty was the best
Always a smile and a good word
Marty…Fellow Communications Major at Notre Dame. Writing was our best skill. It helps to be a good STORY TELLER in this life. Thanks for being a pal.
Condolences to the Immediate and ND family.
” any man’s death diminishes me,
because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom
the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
RIP Marty Ronan, Irish Tried and True !
We were so sorry to hear of Marty’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
we miss you Marty and send our love to Clemmy…Erin Go Bragh
God Bless Marty
I’m a ND classmate and friend of Martys. He was really a great guy who was as positive as anyone I know. He would help anyone with a very positive approach. I last saw Marty at our 50 year ND reunion. He was the same guy I knew in college, very outgoing and friendly . He will definitely be missed and remembered. Our prayers go out to him and family
God Bless him
May God be your comfort during this most difficult time. What a wonderful life Marty led – a true Norte Dame man.
We’re saddened by his passing, but know he is at a much better place now.
May he rest in peace!
A fine example of a Notre Dame man, a giving career, and we will miss him.
God bless and we shall remember him and his family members in our prayers.
Sincerely, Gene & Pat
Enjoyed Marty while we were zt ND and was always glad to see him at the reunions.
Great guy. Sorry for your loss.
Estimada Clemencia,
Es con profundo tristeza que acabo de aprender que Martin falleció. Todos que han tenido la suerte de conocerlo quedaron impresionado con su bondad y sentido de humor.
Mis mas sentidos sentimientos y oraciones.
Un gran abrazo,
Georges Catalaà
May his soul Rest In Peace…..
He’s a Notre Dame Man……
Above all, my memory of Marty is his wonderful sense of humor. I always knew that whatever my mood was on a day when I would be seeing Marty that I would be in high spirits for the rest of that day thanks to Marty’s infectious laughter and good will.
To Clemencia and the Ronan Family. Sending you the warmest abrazos during this difficult time. Prayers for peace and comfort in the days ahead. Will always remembered Marty wearing a smile.
Los acompañamos de todo corazón y les enviamos nuestro mayor sentido pésame. May God comfort you all during this difficult time. We will miss his smile and sunny disposition. With love, Alexa Campbell Howe and family. Xoxo
My deepest and sincerest condolences to Clemencia and all of Marty’s family. What a terrible loss. I will always remember Marty’s warm disposition, his laughter and his generosity of heart. May he rest in peace.
Dear Clemi and members of the Ronan family,
Please accept my deep condolences on the passing of Marty, a dear friend. May his soul rest in peace.