Softball Community Loses a Friend in Roncz

South Bend, IN-

The softball world lost a friend this past weekend as Jason Roncz unexpectedly passed away Saturday morning in his home. He was 32.

Jason was a member of the South Bend Scrap softball team in South Bend for many years, winning several city titles and two state titles. Jason was a natural athlete, who started playing T-Ball at the age of six, then joined the Southeast Little League, and after high school continued playing softball where he made many lifelong friends, including Scrap members Todd Marvin, Nick Relias, Adam Hardisty and his uncle, Jim Aldridge. His sudden death was a shock to everyone and those players who knew him best will miss him dearly.

“Jason and his uncle Jimmy (Aldridge) got me started playing competitive softball years ago, and for that I will be forever grateful,” said teammate Adam Hardisty. “I've forged strong bonds with my Scrap teammates as well as many opponents. A tragedy like this opens your eyes and lets you know softball is nothing in comparison to family and friends. The Scrap family is a brotherhood, and Jason will be forever missed, not as a softball player, but as a person. The kid had a huge heart and loved his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this time of need.”

“We all love softball - its the thing that brings us all together,” said Scrap pitcher Todd Marvin. “God knows ‘Labroncz’ ( as Nick Relias called him ) loved the game, and loved the guys he played with. He might not have been the best player on the team, but the kid played with heart. What happened to Jason could happen to anyone of us at anytime. When the big guy upstairs calls our number its time to go and the only thing I can think is that God needed a 10-hole catcher, who is going to lead the league in walks. Jason, your South Bend Scrap teammates are going to miss you, but we will NEVER forget you.”

“On the field, we are all competitive and want to win,” said Street Kids manager TJ Jorgensen. “But when you hear about something like this, you forget about all the close, competitive games against Scrap and the talk about who’s better. As a softball family in general, we all lost a friend. When I read his guestbook on SouthBendTribune.com today, I read the note written by one of his children and I almost cried.”

Jorgensen stated that at the first meeting between Street Kids and South Bend Scrap in 2008, he and Nick Relias, one of the coaches of Scrap, will ask for both teams to take a moment of silence as they remember Jason. The Scrap team reportedly will wear Jason’s number on their sleeve in 2008.

Jason is survived by his mother, Maribeth Roncz; children, Michael Roncz, Reeann Beck and Amy Roncz; uncles, Jim (Natalie) Aldridge and John Roncz; aunt, Janet (Ralph) Sanders; and cousins, Brittney and Jordan Aldridge, Allyson (Aaron) Smith and Rachel (Nathan) Beittenmiller. His father, Michael Aldridge, preceded him in death.

Jason was fond of animals, sharing his home with two dogs and two cats. He will be missed by the wild squirrels in his neighborhood who ran up and climbed on him looking for the handouts he gave them. He was a good friend to many, and was a devoted father.

Showing will be Wednesday from 2 to 7 PM in the Hickey Funeral Home on Cleveland Road. Services will be conducted there at 11 AM Thursday. Pastors Rob Wegner and Mark Walz of Granger Community Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Jason Roncz Scholarship Fund at any branch of the 1st Federal Savings Bank, or mailed to the bank at 630 W Edison, Mishawaka IN 46545.

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