OBITUARY: Retired Carpenter Ronald Franklin Wolff Sr., 77, of Palm Bay, Passed Away After Battle With Cancer

Ron spent his working years building the 'new' city of Palm Bay as a carpenter

Ron was affectionately known as ‘MacGyver’ by his friends, as he could fix almost anything and loved the challenge.

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – On Tuesday, September 14, 2021, Ronald Franklin Wolff Sr., loving husband, and father, passed away at the age of 77 after a two year valiant battle with cancer.

Growing up in Indianapolis, he moved to Florida and attended high school in Vero Beach, and moved to Eau Gallie soon after. He began working as an apprentice carpenter, driving a small motorcycle to Cape Canaveral every day to support his young family.

It wasn’t long before Ron became a master-level carpenter, earning numerous awards and winning the 1967 Florida State Carpenter’s Apprenticeship.

Ron spent his working years building the “new” city of Palm Bay as a carpenter and crew leader for various large builders in the area.

After years of being a single father, Ron met and married BeeGee Wallace and added “awesome stepdad” to his resume. In the early 1980s, Ron’s carpentry skills were put to the test as he designed and built his family a home in Palm Bay where he and BeeGee have lived since moving in.

Ron loved science and was an avid reader of Scientific American. Ron was affectionately known as ‘MacGyver’ by his friends, as he could fix almost anything and loved the challenge.

In Ron’s retired years, he and his wife spent much of their time helping friends, relatives, and volunteering at local nonprofits.

They were recognized by Hidden Potentials as “Volunteers of the Year” for Brevard County in 2004. Ron gave so much to everyone while asking for nothing in return, and had the utmost patience. He will be missed by many but not forgotten.

Ron is survived by his wife BeeGee Wallace Wolff of 41 years, son Ronald F. Wolff, Jr (Judy) of Rochester, NY, daughter Mary Kate Leigh (John) West Melbourne, FL, and stepson Brian K. Bright (Jenny) South Pasadena, CA. He also leaves four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be forthcoming and in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

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