Ronald John Hemenway

Electronics Technician First Class, United States Navy.

He was born in Alaska and spent his early twenties moving from state to state, working a variety of jobs, looking for what he wanted. He found it in 1994 when he joined the Navy to become an electronics technician - a trade he had come to through his father's work.

Three years later, aboard the LaSalle at Gaeta in Italy, he met and married Marinella. His family say they were amazed at what she did for him: how much more he became. He told his mother he had never dreamed he could be this happy.

He made first class petty officer quickly, and read everything he could find, and was eager to tell his wife what he had learned. He and Marinella had two children, Stefan who was three and Desiree who was one, and were making plans to buy their first house on a few acres.

He is remembered as a man who would rather give than receive.

His wife Marinella, his children Stefan and Desiree, his parents Robert and Shirley, and his five brothers and sisters.