Ronald Markoff, 73

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ronald Charles Markoff passed away on June 13, 2022, surrounded by family.

Ron was born in Providence on March 25, 1949, the son of the late Florence (Shapiro) and Henry W. Markoff. He was a lifetime resident of Providence who often recounted fond memories of growing up on Burlington Street in the home designed by his father, a renowned local architect. 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.

After graduating from Classical High School, Ron first studied Classics, receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brown University in 1971. He then earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1975. While law became both his passion andprofession, Latin remained dear 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 by his mother, Florence, for her passion and dedication to her work as a radio personality and her gumption to work until she was 98 years old. He, too, loved and was dedicated to his career, spending an astounding 46 years practicing and teaching law. After opening his first firm in downtown Providence, he went on to found the Law Offices of Ronald C. Markoff and Associates in Wayland Square. He shared his love of law with his twin brother Gary, also an attorney in Boston. He received innumerable accolades throughout his distinguished career, including recently being honored by Rhode Island Monthly for excellence in practicing law, by Martindale Hubbell for his preeminence in the practice of law, the Lifetime Service Award from Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island, and many more.

Ron had a passion for life: his love of family, dedication to his career and community, and especially his lifelong love of trumpet and classical music. Inspired by his brother Joe, Ron became an avid fan and performer of classical music collecting orchestra conductor cards in lieu of baseball cards in his youth. The sound of trumpet practice could often be heard throughout Ron’s home, enjoyed not only by his family, but by his neighbors too!  He went on to found and be the principal trumpet player for the Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra, play with the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble and perform 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 late wife Lynn in 1998, both Ron and Stephanie found strength in their community at Temple Emanu-El in Providence. Together, they have served the Jewish community of Rhode Island for many years as board members for Jewish Collaborative Services and recently joining hands to lead JCS’s Moes Chitim fundraiser.

Ron’s family knows how proud he was of his accomplishments and the joy that he felt being able to provide for them. They also know and hold in their hearts the little things that made Ron 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 continue Ron’s tradition of writing and reading heartfelt, if not slightly embarrassing, poems at every family event.

Ron is preceded in death by his mother and father, Florence and Henry Markoff, and by his late wife Lynn C. Markoff. He is survived by his wife Karen Triedman, daughters Stephanie Markoff Cohen (C.J. Cohen), Sidra Scharff (Geoffrey Potter) and Allegra Scharff (Travis Sherman); brothers Gary (Eliane) and Joe (Phylis); and by his beloved grandchildren Lyla, Ellie, Harrison and Henry. He is also survived by the many friends whom he held dear to his heart.

Donations to Jewish Collaborative Services of Rhode Island, Temple Emanu-El Providence, and Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra