Obituary of James J. Rongoe, Jr.

James J. Rongoe, Jr., 64, of Darien, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Stamford Hospital. His final days were spent surrounded by the love and support of his family and close friends. James was born on January 16, 1948 in Stamford, CT, son of Carmella Rongoe and the late James J. Rongoe, Sr. A native of Stamford, he graduated from King School (KLHT) where he was a dedicated student and athlete. James devoted his life to his career as a structural engineer, after having received a B.S. from University of Virginia, an M.S. from Columbia University, and completing graduate studies at Cornell University and Hofstra University. He established his structural engineering firm, Rongoe Engineers, LLC, in 1980 and contributed greatly to the profession over the past 32 years. James chaired the CT Code Advisory Committee and also served on the International Building Code Structural Advisory Committee. He has served on technical committees of American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Steel Construction, National Council of Structural Engineering Associations, and the International Code Council, and has authored numerous technical papers and journal articles. James also served on the Board of Directors of the James Delahey Foundation for the Advancement of Structural Engineering Education. He holds a U.S. patent for a composite girder system and was recently pursuing another patent. He was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Structural Engineers Coalition of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Connecticut, marking his induction into the Connecticut Structural Engineers Hall of Fame. James' great passion for life was noted by all who knew him. He was a devoted, caring, and kind-hearted father who was actively involved in his children's academic, athletic, and social lives. He supported his local community, especially the Darien Junior Football League. In his free time, James enjoyed playing tennis and working on his house and in the yard. He was a Knight of Columbus and proud of his Italian-American heritage. James is survived by his three children, Christine Osborn and her husband Bradley of Glen Rock, NJ; Catherine Rongoe of Washington D.C.; Nicholas Rongoe and his wife Toni-Ann of Darien, CT; his two granddaughters Portia Osborn and Ava Rongoe; and his long-time companion Debra Rosenblum of Norwalk, CT. He also leaves behind many close cousins and their families. The family will receive friends at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Monday, August 13, 2012 from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John R.C. Church, 1986 Post Road, Darien on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Spring Grove Cemetery in Darien. Donations in James' memory may be made to the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, c/o Stamford Health Foundation, 1351 Washington Blvd., Suite 202, Stamford, CT 06902, or the Whittingham Cancer Center, 24 Stevens Street, Norwalk, CT 06850. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820