My strongest condolences to all, on the death of my first VADOC Director.  I was hired on 25 June 2001, and I remember when he came to A.S.D. to address our Basic Corrections Officer class.  This guy was all about safety and security, and ten thousand percent pro-staff.  He was VADOC's best asset, and a genuine, authentic leader.  I shall never forget him.

Stephen Christopher Kelly, M.B.A., M.A., A.B.
Virginia Episcopal School, Class of 1987.
Davidson College, Class of 1991.
Webster University, Classes of 1994 & 1995.
Virginia Department of Corrections, Corrections Officer (Senior), 2001-2021 (retired).

Director Angelone, one of a kind.  He only wanted to free the Nevada Department of Corrections from corruption.  But, for any man, it was an impossible job.  I too stood beside Mr. Angelone in his fight against corruption.  So, when that evil was taking me down Mr. Angelone came to my rescue.  He taught me all the elements of command presence.  It saved my career, and most likely my life.  For many more years I stood up against the corruption and never waivered one bit.  Mr. Ron Angelone will always be my hero.

My Uncle Ronnie was always someone I looked up to growing up. My family would always say that I was just like him good in sports but struggles in school but never gives up.  I guess that me hearing that always gave me inspiration that one day I could achieve my goals and dreams like he did.  He was one of those Uncles that when he came to visit, everyone was excited to see him. He was one of those Uncles that as a kid I would always brag to all my friends about. He was my favorite Uncle and I really wished he knew how important he was to me and how I looked at him like he was the most famous and most important man in the world. Even when I got older I still looked at him that way and always looked up to him. I will never forget him he was one of my biggest heroes. 
Love Denie

Rita, I’m so sorry for your loss.  Thinking of you and lifting you and your family up in prayer.  Miss you dearly.

My prayers and love go out to all of the family. 
Cousin Ruth

My heartfelt condolences to Ron’s family.

I was the VDOC agency regulatory coordinator and interim media relations contact in the mid 90’s.  Ron always treated me fairly and respectfully, and I greatly appreciated the trust he afforded me in my role.  One of my favorite memories is our trip to the 60 Minutes studio for Ron’s compelling interview with Mike Wallace as a national prison expert.  

Working under Ron helped give me the confidence to eventually pursue a law career.  I will always be grateful for Ron’s strong leadership, positive influence, and personal support during my formative years.  He will be greatly missed.

It was my privilege to serve Director Angelone as a Master Special Agent of the Office of the Inspector General.  During my numerous encounters with him he was always supportive of my investigative efforts and willing to hold those accountable, no matter their position in the agency. He was a man of rare integrity. He was an honorable public servant. 

May his family find peace in remembrances of a fine man.  My condolences for your loss.

Ron Angelone was a force of nature.  

I had the distinct honor to work closely with Ron during the Allen Administration, when as Agency Heads we planned and built corrections facilities across Virginia.     He was totally committed to the mission of the Department of Corrections; and Virginians were safer because of his hard work and dedication.      

Ron was a good man, and he was a good friend.  He will be missed by so many and honored by all.  

Ron Angelone made a difference.  

Regards, 
Donald C. Williams
Director, Department of General Services [1994 - 2001]

I was Ron’s press secretary during my stint at the Virginia Dept. of Corrections during the Gov. George Allen Administration. Ron was very good to me and immediately brought me into his inner circle. I was very fortunate to have worked so closely with him at a time public safety was the highest priority of our state government. I was with Ron during the best of times and the worst of times. I learned a lot and he gave me wide latitude to run the press shop and stay aligned with the Governor’s Office. I’ll always be grateful for our friendship which transcended our brief time of working together. My heartfelt condolences and prayers for Ron’s wife Rita and their extended family. Ron lived, loved, worked and played large!

Rita, so sorry. Such a great man.  Great part of my life during my career at DOC.  Love Jean Crenshaw

I worked for VADOC on both of this great man's watches and never have I been  so impressed with such a style of overall Supervision.  You never had to figure out what was expected of you.   Change is not always good simply because it is different or takes you in a different direction.   I have survived to see how much we have lost since his departure from Virginia and I often wish for those days of the past because we knew we had support.  The inmate population knew what firm, fair and consistency meant.  Staff knew they were supported and politics were not a part of our daily work activities.
Rest in Peace-Ron.

Robert M. Sykes, Sr.
Counselor/VADOC/GRCC

Dear Rita
So sorry to learn of Ronny's passing   I have fond memories of him when we visited  at Shirley  Blvd  My mother Elena would also speak so highly of his many many successes in his career  at the DOC. It also saddens me that I was not able to meet up with him as I recently bought a home in Fort Myers. Again  so sorry for your loss.
Best,
Billy
Cousin

Dear Rita and family members:

Ron was a transformational leader who made Virginia a safer place for its citizens. It was a true pleasure to work alongside him during the Allen Administration. 

We are so sorry for your loss and hope that memories of happier times together provide you with great comfort. Know that you all and Ron will be in our prayers. 

With our deepest sympathy,

Rick Olson and Jay Timmons

Sorry for your loss. Diane and Tom Angelone

I will always appreciate your leadership as Virginia Department of Corrections Director.  I was the Property Control Officer at the time and the focus was to remove excessive inmate property.  Thank you for bringing that to the DOC.

Ron Angelone was a key leader, as Governor, I appointed to the important position of  Director of Corrections.  I took a genuine liking to Ron from my first interview of him and asking about his impressive methods and record managing safe Nevada prisons. 
Ron Angelone was instrumental in our Truth in Sentencing initiative that made Virginia safer with his smart,  common sense polices in operation of prisons with proper, cost-saving classification of inmates. I relied on loyal,  personable character Ron Angeline’s advice and perspective when making decisions related to properly running prisons for correctional officers, inmates and community work projects for minimum security prisoners. 
With his famous Angeloafs for misbehaving inmates, Ron was truly one of the very best members of our A-Team serving the people of Virginia. 
Susan and I send our deepest condolences to the whole Angelone family. We all feel blessed to have had Ron Angeline in our lives. Good and fun memories will live on. 

George Allen

Rita,

Ron and I began working for Governor Allen at the same time in 1994.  We actually became good friends when I worked at NIC and  you all were in Nevada.  He was a great professional and an even better gentleman and friend.  I have so many fond memories of our shared experiences.  May God provide you with peace and comfort at this difficult time.  Ron will always be remembered and never forgotten.  Virginia is a better place because of his contributions!  God Bless you and your entire family!!  Wayne Huggins

The Virginia DOC had many Directors during my 30 year career there. Ron was a unique Director who believed in me being able to handle a critical job he desperately needed covered. I worked with him during both of his careers in the Virginia Department of Corrections. He propelled me into running DOC technology as their first female Chief Technology Officer (CIO) and member of the Executive Staff. Because of his confidence in me and my amazing team, we successfully transformed the DOC into a 21st century technologically successful mega agency. He impacted the agency's future in ways that are still present today, long after his 2nd career with us as Director. He was direct, clear and knew exactly what he wanted. His expectations were met because of his confidence in us delivering. He was a no nonsense boss. Because of him, we won for the first time ever an international award from CIO Magazine for being a Top 100 technology unit on stage with very prestigious private corporate CIOs. That award was for being resourceful and pulling off major projects with limited funding. We also were invited to speak about technology on behalf of the Governor at The Hague because of the reputation he established for us. He continued to support Directors who followed him because he cared. After retirement, we met for lunch because I wanted him to know his huge impact on his agency truly because he had faith in his staff. I still cherish my 30 years at DOC because of leaders like him.  But Ron gave me the most difficult challenge ever to overhaul a unit having serious problems. It was a great time of pulling together to maximize public safety and fixing so many difficult, complex problems as a team. Losing leaders like him is major. May he rest in peace. He deserves that. To the Angelone family, please know he made a huge difference. He did life extremely well. I pray you find peace as you process this tragic loss.

OBITUARY

Ronald Joseph Angelone

August 12, 1947 – July 12, 2024

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