Ronald E. Hemeon – July 13, 2024

Ronald E. Hemeon, a long-time resident of East Braintree, MA, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 13, 2024, at the age of 95. Rod, as he was known, had an energy and a lust for life that will be remembered, and very much missed, by all those who knew and loved him. 

Rod is survived by his wife of 71 years, Katherine Finnerty Hemeon, who grew up in East Braintree as well and became Rod’s high-school sweetheart and beloved partner in life. He is also survived by their five children: Sharon DeMarco of Weymouth, Sheila Hemeon-Heyer and her husband Mark of Amherst, Sandra Hemeon-McMahon and her husband John of Dennis, Sheryl Ochs and her husband Ken of Norwell, and Ronald J. Hemeon of Braintree; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and two surviving brothers: James Hemeon and his wife Rose of Concord, NH and Melvin Hemeon and his wife Karen of Quincy. Rod was predeceased by one grandson (Ellis Heyer), one son-in-law (Edward DeMarco), three sisters (Rita Simon, Ann Colligan, and Joan Moore) and two brothers (Jack Hemeon and Basil Hemeon). 

Rod’s love for his family was a central part of his life, and the doors of his home have always been open for either a brief visit or a lengthy stay from any family member. He loved traveling and taking his family on vacation, and some of their happiest memories center on numerous trips to New Hampshire, Cape Cod, and Cancún, Mexico. 

Upon graduating from Northeastern University in 1956, Rod worked as an electrical engineer for Stone and Webster, then at Chas T. Main, designing pulp and paper mills until his retirement in 1993. He was a veteran, serving twice in the U.S. Army occupational forces after World War II. Some of his happiest memories and best stories came from these two army stints, one which involved him going briefly “AWOL” in Paris because he had dallied too long watching the show at the Moulin Rouge.

Rod was a lifelong athlete, starting at Braintree High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball for the Braintree Wamps. He was proud both of having been on a BHS team that played in the Boston Garden during a State championship basketball tournament and playing for the Braintree White Sox baseball team after graduating from high school. Rod continued his multisport activities, playing many years of organized hockey, stopping only on doctor’s orders after hip and knee replacements when he was in his 70s. He also enjoyed bowling candlepin on teams at Olindy’s Lanes, golfing at home and on vacations, and only recently retired from the South Shore Senior Softball league at age 90. Rod is the only lifetime member of the Braintree Loyal Order of Moose, having been given this honor in recognition of 50 years of continuous membership. His was a life well-lived.

Visiting hours will be at the Clancy-Lucid Funeral Home at 100 Washington Street, Weymouth, MA on July 25, 2024 from 6 pm to 8 pm. A funeral mass will be at Sacred Heart Church, 72 Washington Street, Weymouth, MA on July 26, 2024 at 10:30 am. Burial will be at the Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the NVNA and Hospice Charitable Fund, https://www.nvna.org/charitable-fund, in recognition and thanks for the excellent care provided to Rod during his final days.