Quechee, VT – Ronald J. Paprocki, 78, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Ron was the youngest of four children born to parents Leo and Mary (Kurowski) Paprocki in Rochester, NY, on March 11, 1946. He was rooted in the Rochester community and his Polish heritage. His Catholic faith and time at the Aquinas Institute of Rochester helped him develop into a stalwart leader both in his career and in service to the community's greater good. Throughout his life, his faith was a guiding star and a source of strength.

Ron and his wife, Cathy, were married for 56 years. They first met at a football game at the urging of some mutual friends. For the next year, Cathy, in Rochester, and Ron as a college freshman in Pittsburgh, PA, wrote letters back and forth. He then transferred to the University of Rochester to continue his undergraduate studies in French Literature. The year 1969 was a busy one for the couple: they married in February, he finished his degree and began working at his alma mater, and later that year they welcomed the first of three children.

Ron's mother taught him by example how to be a loving and involved parent. She stayed with Ron, Cathy, and her grandchildren often and celebrated their Polish heritage with good food and music. Ron was an attentive, supportive, and proud dad and grandfather, and he always provided a bit of humor. He led by example, showing his children the importance of continued learning and balancing hard work with fun and playfulness. Ron had wide-ranging knowledge and always lent an ear and offered guidance.

Ron and Cathy enjoyed traveling together, sometimes relaxing on a Mediterranean cruise and visiting churches in many countries. They enjoyed good food; Ron would often recount the details of the dinners prepared by Cathy at home with as much enthusiasm and praise as the courses that they enjoyed together at restaurants. They often vacationed in Vermont and spent many weekends in Quechee before deciding to move there full time after retirement in 2016. They watched Red Sox games together and recently began attending games each summer at Fenway with family and friends.

Ron's career at the University of Rochester spanned nearly five decades, starting in the Registrar's office in 1966 and ending his tenure as the Senior Vice President for Administration & Finance and Chief Financial Officer. He completed his MBA, served in numerous capacities, and experienced campus life from all perspectives: student, staff, and senior administration. His well-rounded understanding of the institution and his welcoming personality, paired with diligence and good humor, made him an excellent mentor to many longtime University staff.

Ron's retirement in the Upper Valley was an active one: he served on the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Board, the Quechee Lakes Review Board, the Upper Valley Haven Board, and continued to support projects in Rochester, including chairing the Planning Committee for the Joseph P. Mack Catholic Center on campus. When their children and grandchildren visited, he always had a list of places to explore and fun things to do as a family in the Upper Valley.

Ron's interests and hobbies were many: fly fishing, language (he spoke four), animal and bird identification, art, music, and many more.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Paprocki of Quechee; three children: Krista Coleton and husband, Peter, of Arlington, VA; Ron Paprocki, Jr., and wife, Maria Roemer, of New York, NY; and Karin Paprocki and husband, Jon Howard, of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Patricia Deloria, of Churchville, NY; five grandchildren: Violet, Holly, Kai, Jason, and Miles; their Springer Spaniel, Henry; other family members and many colleagues and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Arlene Gianforte and Gerald Paprocki.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Hanover, NH. A celebration of his life will be held at the University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 10, 2025.

Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction, VT, has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences are invited at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial donations are appreciated to VINS , Upper Valley Haven , or Joseph P. Mack Catholic Center on the University of Rochester campus (Catholic Newman Center Building & Maintenance Fund).