Ronald R. Thoma of Churchville died Tuesday, March 19, 2013, after a long illness at his home with his family by his side. He was 78.

Born and raised in the Juniata Park section of Philadelphia, he was the beloved husband of Mary L. Garbay Thoma for 51 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Thoma Jr. and Ellen Chalmers Thoma and his brother, Ernest “Bud” Thoma, III.

Ron retired in 2000, after 46 years as a Senior Vice President at Crown Cork and Seal in Philadelphia. Ron gave back to his community having served on the Boards of Delaware Valley College and Aria Health System.

Ron and his family owned and operated The Coach Dog Tavern in Southampton for 23 years. He was also an avid horse owner and owner of Churchville Farm Racing Stable, Churchville, which had many of their horses race at Philadelphia Park, Bensalem.

In addition to his beloved wife Mary, Ron is survived by his five children, Mary Ellen Bradley and her husband, John,, Ronald E. Thoma and his wife, Amy, Ann Gensbauer and her husband, Daniel,, Karen Thoma and her partner, Diana Bitting ,and Patty Curran and her husband, Joe. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Michael, Elena Wabst (Kyle), Kristina, Corina, Regan, Kayla, Shannon and Allison and his great granddaughter, Ava, and soon to be another great granddaughter.

He will be deeply missed and mourned by a large circle of family, friends and business associates.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Friday evening March 22, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm and Saturday from 8:30am to 9:15 am at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro and to his Funeral Mass 10:00am at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, PA 18966.

Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.