Ronald P. Talakoski ’85

Ron died in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, July 6, 2009.  

A lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, he graduated from Hammarskjold High School as 1981 Senior Male Athlete of the Year (for both football and track) and an Ontario Scholar. At Princeton he came to play hockey, his passion, but transferred to the University of Manitoba after his freshman year to pursue a physical education degree. At Manitoba he played varsity hockey and football.

After college, Ron signed with the New York Rangers. He went on to play in the American Hockey League with the New Haven Nighthawks and in the International Hockey League as captain of the Colorado Rangers, where he scored 24 goals. Upon returning to Thunder Bay, Ron skated with the Thunder Bay Twins and the Thunder Bay Senators, earning a place in the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.

When his professional hockey career ended, Ron became a professional firefighter, which he continued for 18 years. His hobbies included carpentry, music, and photography.

Ron is survived by his wife, Carol; sons Jesse and Joshua; and numerous nieces and nephews. The class extends deepest sympathy to his family.