FAY, RONALD PATRICK, 74, of Heathrow died Tuesday November 18, 2003. Ron is lovingly remembered for his warm smile, hearty chuckle, and sense of humor. A humble and modest man, he rarely mentioned his achievements. His integrity was without question and he was a born leader. Born in Milwaukee, WI on May 25, 1929, Ron was the second of four sons born to Patrick Fay and Charlotte (Welch). All have predeceased him as well as his loving wife of 26 years, Jean Reniewicki. Formerly President of Wendy's International, the hamburger chain. Ron's character was formed during his 12 years of parochial school. He graduated from St. John's Cathedral High School in Milwaukee, WI in 1948. He was Member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL and St. Brigid of Kildare in Dubin, OH where he maintained a second home. Ron was a Veteran of the Korean conflict and fought in the trenches at the battles of Hamburger Hill and Pork Chop Hill where he was decorated for his service. Ron's impressive career began as a 14-year-old busboy in a W.T. Grant department store in Milwaukee, WI. Ron quickly ascended the management ranks and was national corporate director of marketing and purchasing when the company filed bankruptcy in 1975. While at Grant's, he pioneered a purchasing and delivery system that was adopted widely throughout the food service industry. He joined Wendy's in 1976 as a franchisee, but in 1981 he was named president of Wendy's International, overseeing one of the most intensely competitive periods in the industry's history. Under his leadership Wendy's launched its wildly successful "Where's the Beef" ad campaign. Ron retired in 1986. In 1990 he returned to the working world as the operating partner with Bob Stine, a Wendy's franchisee in Central Florida. The growing franchise was soon a regional leader in sales and operations. Motivating people by example, Ron visited at least one restaurant every day and was well known by managers and crew people alike. Just a few weeks before his death the partnership was sold to Wendy's International and he retired. Ron was an avid golfer, and former member at Tuckaway Country Club, Milwaukee, Indian Hills Country Club, Long Island; Cavalier Golf Club, Virginia Beach, and Firestone Country Club, Akron. He is a current member of The Country Club in Heathrow, FL, and The Country Club at Muirfield Village in Dublin, OH. While he had three holes-in-one, his proudest achievement was shooting a birdie on the 18th hole to help win the Pro-Am at the Memorial tournament in 1985 teaming with Johnny Bench and Tom Kite. Some of Ron's other distinguished golfing partners included the former President's George Bush and Gerald Ford and Neil Armstrong, along with a host of professional golfers whom he played with in a host of Pro-Am Tournaments throughout the country. Ron was well- known for his homey aphorisms: Do the ordinary things extraordinarily well, Keep on keepin' on, Kill 'em with Kindness, I can only wear one pair of shoes at a time, You got time to lean, you got time to clean. Ron is survived by his devoted wife of 16 years, Ernesta Johnson Fay; Jean's children Kallen Fay Brown, (Rev. Larry), Lancaster, OH, Erin MarieFay, Dublin, OH, Christopher Fay, Austin, TX; along with Ernie's children Jennifer Nester (Steve), Lewis Center, OH; and Zachary Johnson (Shannon), Santa Barbara, CA. He has four grandchildren: Tarah, Derek, and Kevin Brown of Lancaster, OH, and Luke Nester, Lewis Center, OH. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 22, from 3-5PM at Baldwin- Fairchild Funeral Home, 994 East Altamonte Dr. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, with a Wake Service at 5PM at the funeral home. A family funeral will be conducted at St. John Cathedral in Milwaukee and burial will be in Mount Oliviet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, One Dave Thomas Blvd. Dublin, OH 43017.
Published in the Orlando Sentinel from Nov. 21 to Nov. 22, 2003

Contributor: Gregg Howard Fitzpatrick (46527895)