Ronald George Fairhurst

Mr. Ronald George Fairhurst, 65, of Winston-Salem died Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at his home. He was born February 23, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of late Douglas and Florence Bergin Fairhurst. Ronald grew up in Staten Island and Yorktown Heights, New York. As a child he was a Polio pioneer, receiving one of the very first Polio vaccinations. He graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1964 and CW Post College in 1969. Shortly after his college graduation he was drafted into the Army to serve his country in Vietnam where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. After Vietnam he began a business career with Nestle Foods as a courier in the mail room. Over the next twenty three years he was regularly promoted and relocated to assignments in Georgia, Oregon, and New York, finally achieving a position of Vice President of Distribution. He continued to hold executive positions at Playtex and US Office Products for the remainder of his career. Ronald had many varied personal interests throughout his life. He enjoyed photography, reading, gardening, the stock market and taking trips to the beach to name a few. Above all else, Ronald was a family man. He started raising his own family in 1970 and then embraced his second wife Tina's family in 1995, helping to raise his stepson Steven as he would his own. He had a unique ability to keep even the most serious of situations light-hearted and fun. Ronald will be dearly missed and fondly remembered as a talented, caring man with a wonderful sense of humor. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Deborah Fairhurst. Survivors include his wife, Tina Rivera; one son, Sean Ronald Fairhurst and wife, Penny of Shelburne, VT; one daughter, Sarah Gardiner and husband, Daniel of Wake Forest, NC; five grandchildren, Abigail Fairhurst, Molly Fairhurst, Maya Gardiner, Samuel Gardiner and Evan Gardiner; two stepsons, Ric Rivera and wife, Michelle and Steven Rivera of Philadelphia, PA; one step graddaughter, Luka Rivera; two brothers, Douglas Fairhurst and partner, Barbara Norat of New York, NY and Allen Fairhuurst and wife Jeanette of White Plains, NY; and one sister, Barbara Ann Warren and husband, Larry of Randolph, VT. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2pm until 4pm at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home at 3315 Silas Creek Parkway Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Flowers and cards can be sent directly to the funeral home. Donations can be made in Ronald's name to the Reynolds Manor Branch Library at 2839 Fairlawn Drive Winston Salem NC 27106. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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