POLAND – Ronald E. Herrick, 69, of 10 Perkins Road, Poland, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, from injuries sustained in a car accident.

He was born in Ballston Spa, N.Y., April 12, 1939, the son of Edward and Mary Louise (Hall) Herrick. In 1957, he graduated from Ballston Spa High School, where he was a member of the National Honor Society, president of his senior class and excelled in football, baseball and basketball. He attended the University of New Hampshire on a basketball scholarship, honored for his athletics, and graduated in 1961. Ron loved this country and felt privileged to have served in the Air Force receiving an honorable discharge in 1965.

In October 1999, he married Elizabeth Hartley of Turner. They settled in Poland in 2000. Their home became a favorite gathering place for family and friends in large part due to Ron’s infectious laugh, storytelling ability, jovial nature, enjoyment of cooking and serving food to guests.

While his favorite hobby was his family, he was also an avid golfer and fan of the New York Giants and the Boston Red Sox. He was also a dedicated and longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House in Portland.

He loved life, he was generous, never missing an opportunity to help whenever or wherever needed. His “cup was never half empty, it was always half full.” In this season of thanksgiving and every day, he was grateful for his lifetime of blessings. He was a true gentleman and a devoted and loving husband, father and “Bumpa” who will be missed dearly by family and friends.

He is survived by his children, Edward Granville Herrick of Nashua, N.H., Roberta Murray and husband, Steven, of Rye, N.H., Veronica Leblanc and husband, John, of South Paris, Gregory Herrick and wife, Elizabeth, of Washington, D.C., Tyler Herrick of Mooresville, N.C., Heather Haywood and husband, Chris, of Giliad, Jonathan Murray and wife, Sarah, of Turner and Jared Murray and wife, Krista, also of Turner; 14 grandchildren; his sister, Jeri Lee Carr and companion, Donald Gallagher, of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews; “Aunt Jane”; his golden retriever “China”; and special friends, Nick and Cindy Campbell and George and Celeste Hess.