Ronald Charles Markoff

Markoff, Ronald Charles passed away on June 13th, 2022, surrounded by family.

He is survived by his wife Karen Triedman, daughters Stephanie Markoff Cohen (C.J. Cohen), Sidra Scharff (Geoffroy Potter), Allegra Scharff (Travis Sherman), brothers Gary (Eliane) and Joe (Phyliss) and grand children Lyla, Ellie, Harrison and Henry. He was born in Providence on March 25, 1949, the son of the late Florence (Shapiro) and Henry Markoff.  His wife, Lynn preceded him in death in 1998. He is also survived by many friends whom he held dear to his heart.

Ron was a lifelong resident of Providence, RI who often recounted fond memories of growing up on Burlington Street in the home his father, a renowned local architect, designed. He was a gracious host and eager tour guide for out-of-town guests, quick to share how Providence, built on seven hills, was just as esteemed as Rome.

He was a graduate of Classical High School, Brown University BA and MA in Classics in 1971. He earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1975. While law became his profession, the Latin he learned at Brown stayed close to his heart and he loved to quiz his daughters, nieces, and nephews about the Latin they were learning in school.

Ron was constantly inspired his mother, Florence, for her passion and dedication to her work as a radio personality and her gumption for working until she was 98. He too, loved and was dedicated to his career, spending an astounding 46 years practicing and teaching Law opening his own firm in downtown Providence’s and then in Wayland Square. Throughout his career he received innumerable accolades.  Included in his many accomplishments were Rhode Island Monthly for Excellence in Practicing Law, Martindale Hubbell for his preeminence in the Practice of Law and a Lifetime Service Award from Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island.

Ron’s was a lifelong trumpet player and an avid classical music fanatic. Inspired by his brother, Joe, Ron threw himself into the classical music world, even collecting composer cards in lieu of baseball cards as a child. Trumpet practice became a familiar sound in Ron’s home, for his family (and his neighbors!). He went on to found and be the principal trumpeteer for the Narraganset Bay Symphony Community Orchestra, performed with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, and alongside his brother, Joe, with the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra.

Ron was deeply grounded in his Jewish faith, and shared these core values with his daughter, Stephanie. After the loss his first wife Lynn, they found strength in the teachings and community at Temple Emanu-El. Together, they served for many years as board members for Jewish Collaborative Services (JFS) and Temple Emanu-El, among others, and recently lead the JCS’s Moes Chitim Fundraiser.

Ron’s family shared the great pride in his accomplishments.  They hold in their hearts the little things that made him who he was. His wife, Karen will continue to search for the perfect banana pancake, as Ron set out to do by bringing her to different diners throughout the state. Ron’s daughters Stephanie, Sidra, and Allegra will make sure to keep his tradition of writing and reading heartfelt, if not slightly embarrassing poems, at every family event.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, June 17, 2022 at Temple Emanu-El, 99 Taft Avenue, Providence. Burial will be at the Lincoln Park Cemetery on Post Road, Warwick. Donations to Jewish Collaborative Services of Rhode Island, Temple Emanu-El Providence: The Lynn Seymour Markoff Fund, or Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra.  Shiva will be at his late residence Sunday 2 – 4 pm and 7 – 9 pm and Monday 7 – 9 pm.

5 Comments

  1. Theodore Loebenberg
    Jun 15, 2022

    Markoff Family. I know that words cannot bring Ron back but hopefully they can heal the heart. I share with you poems that were shared with me at a time of loss and I share them forward. Namaste
    DEATH IS NOTHING
    Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
    Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way, which you always used. Put no difference in your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is an absolute unbroken continuity. What is Death but a negligent accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well .
    Written by Henry Scott Holland (27 January 1847 – 17 March 1918) was Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford

    Remember me with fondness
    I love you much. I always loved you much.
    The ticket is ended-one must descend from the train.
    Biological laws are not negotiated or discussed. So it is….
    I had a good ticket in life. I enjoyed it, I lived it whole, I had fun.
    I did not have hunger or cold, neither did I have to go to war. Wonderful (life).
    I had my wife and my work. Was happy with both.
    There aren’t any children more marvelous than mine. They are gentile, good, honest, human, correct and loving, respectful but conscientious, affectionate and caring.
    It seems little, but was much. Not that I wouldn’t have liked more, but…..
    All my life I lived in paradise. When I went to another place, I always found something pretty, be it the lights, the music, the colors that was stimulating, but coming back, I always got back to paradise. This is my place.
    I lived life like a KING— I am going to die like a man.
    I had love and had joys, all from you and all of these yours.
    Thanks for all my apologies for the bad moments. There was no dissolve. I am not saying goodbye because I do not life fair wells, only GOOD DAYS AND GOOD NIGHTS.
    May all be well for you.
    Go well with you.

  2. Steve Levitt
    Jun 15, 2022

    My condolences to the Markoff family

  3. Brenda Desrosiers
    Jun 16, 2022

    Stephanie,
    I am so very sorry to hear of your Dads passing. Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers while you endure the difficult days ahead. Rest in sweet peace Ron.

  4. Mary Boyce McGrath
    Jun 16, 2022

    My deepest condolences to the Markoff family and to all the staff that Ron worked with for many years. I had the pleasure of working many transactions with Ron. There was no one like Ron.
    Ron had a wonderful sense of humor, and will be missed dearly.

  5. Linda McGowan-Langlois
    Jun 16, 2022

    My first job in the BIG city of Providence was at Commonwealth Land Title Ins. Company, 66 South Main Street, where we shared a party wall with Attorney Markoff. Every morning, Atty Markoff would stop in to say Good Morning and have a chat and some laughs with Sally O’Neil (our boss) and us. I remember him as a kind and warm person who liked to laugh. I am sorry to read of his passing.

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