VOORHEESVILLE — Ronnie Meilinger, a letter carrier and school bus driver who coached school sports for his children and grandchildren, died on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. He was 79.
The son of Ed and Portia Meilinger, he lived his entire life in Voorheesville, and graduated from Clayton A. Bouton High School there.

“Ronnie worked for 32 years as a letter carrier in the Albany Post Office and for 19 years as a school bus driver in Voorheesville,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was a veteran of the Air National Guard in Schenectady, serving from 1965 to 1971. 

“Ronnie loved sports, as a player, coach, and spectator. He coached many school sports teams for his children and grandchildren. He was a diehard supporter of the Cleveland Browns, the Boston Celtics, and the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. He rooted for any baseball team that was not the Yankees.

“Earlier this year, he was at a party when a long-time friend came up to him and once again recounted the time when Ronnie had miraculously caught the winning touchdown pass in a high school playoff game in the early 1960s. Ronnie was thrilled to hear the story again.

“Ronnie had a well-deserved reputation as the life of any party. He was the creator of the innovative dance step known as ‘The Turtle.’

“He was exceedingly generous with anyone who needed his help, especially if they were kids. Many of the kids’ friends would come back year after year after leaving school, to visit him. And he loved to see them.”

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Ronnie Meilinger is survived by his wife, Barbara (née Armer) Meilinger whom he married in 1967. They have five children — Peter Meilinger (Melissa), Gretchen Wendy Noland (Ed), Michael Noland (Kimberleigh), Elizabeth Noland, and Grayson Noland — and grandchildren.

He is also survived by two brothers, Richard (Paula) of Pine Plains, New York and Edward (Wendy) of Portland, Oregon.

His parents, Ed and Portia Meilinger, died before him, as did his siblings, Diane (Larry), Nancy, Robert (Anne), and Carol (Bill).

Friends may visit with his family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home at 9 Voorheesville Ave. in Voorheesville. A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.