Ronald Nydam, 77, of Milford, MA, died peacefully on November 4, 2025, at the Eliot Center in Natick after a long fight with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s caused by Agent Orange poisoning. Ronnie was born on May 21, 1948, in Northbridge and was the eighth of nine children. He grew up in Upton and spent most of his adult life between Mendon and Milford.
Ronnie graduated from Nipmuc Regional High School in 1966. During his school years, he tirelessly delivered papers throughout the town of Upton. He also worked at Kelly’s Farm in Upton and Millie Mitchell’s in Mendon. After graduating, he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served as a Seabee during the Vietnam War. Ronnie was a talented and skilled mechanic and auto body technician, always sharing his skills with others. He could seamlessly combine two wrecked cars, crafting an entirely new automobile. He owned and operated Central Mass Collision for many years, and Ronnie will forever be remembered for his love of the water, cars, Keno, and cheeseburgers.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents Gladys and Peter Nydam; sisters Rose (Nydam) Hemenway and Elsie (Nydam) Osterman; brothers Edward, Austin, Peter, Jr., Raymond; mother-in-law Dorothy Bentley; and father-in-law Walter (Grumpy) Bentley. Ronnie is survived by Patricia Bentley, his loving wife, caregiver, and soulmate; children Kris (Nydam) White, her husband Ken, and their children Elizabeth and Rebekah of Oregon; Jamie Nydam and his fiancée Hollie Papke of Milford, and Jamie's children Skylar, Zachery, Joshua, Meghan, and Madelynne; Michael Brown and his partner Gina Harper of Hopkinton; Caitlin (Bentley) Bartlett, her husband Doug Bartlett, and their daughter Adriana Bartlett of Florida; sister Barbara Knaack of Michigan, brother Paul Nydam of Florida and five great-grandchildren.
Besides his wife and immediate family, Ronnie’s journey was beautifully intertwined with many people along the way, including cousins, nieces, and nephews; the mother of his children, Dianne (Weger) Nydam LaBounty (deceased); and a multitude of devoted friends, including his best friend and partner in crime, John MacLean.
Calling hours will be held at Consigli Ruggerio Funeral Home on Saturday, November 15th, from 9 - 11. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., followed by a burial at Hopedale Village Cemetery.