Ronald Pizzanello, 71, of Eastford, Connecticut, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Ron was born on October 13, 1954, in Hartford, Connecticut, and spent much of his life in the Hartford area. He took great pride in his career, working 29 years as an IT Specialist at The Hartford Financial Services Group followed by 9 years with IBM.

Ron’s greatest passion was baseball, a love that remained a constant throughout his life. His baseball journey began in little league and continued through his years playing catcher for Eastern Connecticut State University. He went on to play professional baseball for a year in Nettuno, Italy, and later spent 17 years playing in the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League (GHTBL). After his playing days, Ron continued his involvement with the GHTBL, becoming manager of the South Windsor Phillies, a position he took great pride in for the last 9 years.

Known as “Coach Pizz,” Ron was a highly respected and determined coach who encouraged his players, pushed them to improve, and always believed in their potential. He had a competitive spirit and was never shy about challenging a call, always standing up for his team. Ron had the privilege of coaching his own sons when they were young and later shared his love of baseball with generations of young athletes. To Ron, baseball was about hard work, teamwork, dedication, and the relationships built along the way.

Ron was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan and enjoyed following the team and talking baseball with family and friends. He was also known for his infectious laugh, which could often be heard at the ballfield or wherever he was gathered with those he loved.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife, Charlene, who was his best friend and rock throughout their life together, and his beloved dog, Coco.

He leaves behind his son, Domnick Pizzanello, his wife, Sarah, and their children, Andrew and Isabelle. He was preceded in death by his son, John Pizzanello, and leaves behind John’s wife, Sara, and their son, John.

Ron’s family also includes his daughter, Heather Pizzanello, and her husband, Richard Triblets; his stepchildren and their families: Nathan Jones and his children, Caed and Amelia; Nicholas Jones and his wife, Crystal, and their children, Ahlanna, Aiden, Dylan, and Ariel; and Sara Hibbard and her husband, Adam, and their children, Ava and Everly.

He will also be lovingly remembered by his brother, Arthur Pizzanello, and his sister, Joanne Armenio, and her husband, Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ronald and Maryanne.

Ron will be deeply missed by his family, friends, teammates, players, and all who knew and loved him. “Coach Pizz” will be remembered for his love of baseball, his dedication to his players and team, his infectious laughter, and the many lives he touched through the game he loved.

Calling hours will be held Friday, August 14, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson Street, Willimantic, CT 06226.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be made to the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League by mailing a check to:

Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League1803 Main StreetSouth Windsor, CT 06074

Donations may also be made online through the following link: https://square.link/u/7aRgDeYH?src=sheet