Ronald Manlio Conticelli

Ronald Manlio Conticelli, age 73 years, of Hopewell Township, NJ, died suddenly but peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

The following was written by his daughter with love:

Legendary. Talented chef. Inspired musician. Mechanical genius. Prankster extraordinaire. Distinguished gentlemen. These are just a few ways to describe the proclaimed “Most Interesting Man in the World”.

Ronald M. Conticelli, 73, was born on a drizzly spring day in Brooklyn, NY. His childhood was spent with his loving and devoted parents Manlio and Mimi, older brother Edward, along with many close family and friends in the old neighborhood. In his younger years, he would pursue many interests: cars, sports, animals, music, and mischief—being sure to keep his parents, friends, and teachers on their toes.

Coming from a very musical family, Ronnie would learn to play several instruments.  From his talent of mastering the accordion, he was chosen to play Carnegie Hall, not once but twice, that entertained a fully packed crowd. Also being extremely athletic, he advanced in gymnastics and masterfully excelled on the challenging rings and pommel horse.

While still in high school, Ronnie worked for a butcher shop which taught him the skill of preparing perfect cuts of meat that would open doors into the culinary world.  Once he got his driver’s license, he started driving a 7-Up truck and made deliveries all around the New York area.

After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps to serve his country during the Vietnam War. Semper Fi.  He worked as a mechanic, weapons transporter, and a “chauffeur”, as he would say, by driving a General around during his time serving in the military. After the war he got a job as a mechanic and would later go on to become a driver, taking 18-wheeler trips across the country, thus fueling his passion for exploring America and the open road. He also picked up the casual hobbies of flying single engine airplanes, training dogs, and even built his home in Hopewell from the foundation up.

After several years of working as a mechanic where he gained the skills to build and fix just about anything, Ronnie eventually realized that this was not his true calling in life. He joined his brother Eddie in the restaurant industry, and they ran a dessert cafe on Mulberry Street in Little Italy: a snack-bar so delicious people would come from all around to dine. The stories he would regale from this time of his life were mesmerizing: rubbing elbows with members of The Beatles, dinner with Olivia Newton John, cake with Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel, and even hanging out with heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali.

There was never a dull moment with his time at the café, one of the most important individuals that he met was his beautiful and loving wife. With many successful years working in the café, and after starting to have children, he decided it was time to retire from The Big Apple so that they could enjoy the many joys of family life. Although, it was not very long before the restaurant life called him back.

Ronnie, along with his wife Eileen and their two children, Harra and Barret, opened up a restaurant in Flemington, NJ. He owned and operated one of the best fine dining Italian restaurants in New Jersey. Like his days back in New York City, this new restaurant would bring celebrities, politicians, and foodies from all around to delight over his cuisine for more than 20 years. His passion for food was second to his love for his family. They shared countless memorable times on family camping trips in the mountains, hanging out poolside with close friends, going fishing with his kids, rooting for the New York Giants, and shared grand holiday parties that are still talked about to this day.

After running this successful restaurant for many years and raising a family, it was finally time to retire and relax. He took this time to road trip across America and explored the national parks with his adoring wife and faithful companion pup, Hudson. Ronald lived one of the best lives that anyone could have. He loved traveling the world, riding motorcycles, being an incredible father, devoted husband, and caring friend.

Ronnie will always be remembered as a talented mentor who touched many lives with his sense of humor, charm, and friendship. His legacy lives on through his wife, daughter, and son. He was a very strong, funny, lovable handsome man who will be greatly missed.

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Life celebration services followed by cremation are private under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Ron’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or online by clicking HERE, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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