Ronald D. Poloski

April 4, 1945 - July 6, 2017 YOUNGSTOWN, OH Ronald David Poloski, 72, passed away peacefully in his sleep July 6, 2017. Ron was born April 4, 1945, in Braddock, PA and, at the age of 2, came to live in Youngstown, OH, where he resided until 1979. He was a graduate of South High School and was an honorably discharged Navy veteran, serving during the Cuban missile crisis and blockade. After his service time, he worked at various jobs at the steel mills and later joined the Youngstown Police Department. He then went on to work for General Motors at Lordstown, OH. In 1979, he transferred from the Lordstown GM plant to the OKC GM plant and in 1999, again transferred to GMSPO in Lansing, MI, retiring in 2006. In 2010, he returned to the Youngstown area. He ran autocross for many years, driving his Corvettes, and also had a love for Indy Car and, in later years, NASCAR racing. In 1986 and 1987, he was thrilled to be able to participate in the One Lap of America, a competition that ran across many of the lower 48 states. Ron and his teammates drove approximately 8, 300 miles in 10 days during these events. He loved traveling and refused to fly so he could see and visit more things along the way. He managed to make 48 of the 50 states before his passing. Ron was preceded in death by his son, James Poloski; his father, Edward Poloski; and mother, Helen Poloski. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 30-plus years, Karen Teters; when they finally married Sept. 8, 2012, they jokingly referred to it as "the day the pigs flew." Ron also leaves behind his daughters, Christina (the short one) Poloski (Thore Clausen), San Jose, CA; and Karilyn (Rocky) Catanzariti, of Youngstown; and one sister. Granddaughter Aria was his special little "bug" and he loved her more than she will ever know. She taught him the true meaning of "warming the cockles of one's heart" and always made him smile. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at St. Columba Cathedral in Youngstown; there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities. Lane Funeral Home Austintown, OH