Obituary of Ronald Paul Sarlo

 Ronald Paul Sarlo, age 59, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on June 7. 2019.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Ann Sarlo and his father Daniel Sarlo. 
 Ronald is survived by his spouse of 31 years, Jonathan Serra and his sister Joan Sarlo and his 5 cats Batman, Tigger, Crazy, Dolly and Gordon Ramsey.  
 He was a native of Bound Brook, New Jersey but a resident of Tucson, Arizona for the past 5 years.  After college, he worked shortly for Puralator Courier then at National Starch. In 1986, he began work as a United States Postal Clerk in Bound Brook and retired on disability in 2014.  
 Since the late 1980’s, Ronald has been dealing with breathing issues that gradually escalated over the years.  At first he was treated for asthma and allergies but he slowly continued to have trouble breathing.  Not until around 2007 was he first diagnosed with Sarcoidosis in his lungs, a disease that is not well know and not easy to diagnosed.  The doctors were unclear how to treat the disease as well.  His treatment at the time was lots of steroids for many years.  Eventually the steroid treatment took a toll on his immune system and he developed Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID).  Treatment continued with steroids as well as antibiotics and immunoglobulins.   In 2013 they first mentioned that he would need a lung transplant in the future.  Ron deteriorated to the point where he had to retire on disability in 2014.  At this point, Ron and Jon decided to move to Tucson, Arizona to retire, which was a life long dream of theirs.  
 In Tucson Ronald started treatment at University of Arizona Medical Center, the largest hospital in Tucson and one of the largest in the state.  They very quickly agreed that his lungs could not be treated and a transplant would be the only solution.  It took a few years to get prepared for a transplant and on April 30, 2018, Ron was officially listed for transplant.  Ten days later, on May 9, 2018 he received the gift of a donor and he was transplanted.  Unfortunately, he immediately developed a reaction to Heparin which lead to amputation below the knee of his right leg on June 11, 2018.  After 64 days in the hospital, he finally came home.  His toes on his left leg were also damaged and he had to have three toes partially amputated in December 2018.  
 He was very brave and mentally strong and determined to recover although he continued to have obstacles along the way.  Even though he had obstacles, he was always friendly and kind to everyone, even to all the doctors and nurses along the way.  No matter his condition, he would smile and enjoyed chatting with everyone, just like he always did his entire life.  Because he was never really able to rehab and regain his physical strength back, his healing was very slow.  In April of 2019, he became sick with the Rhinovirus.   Most likely this virus triggered a stage A1 lung rejection at the same time.  These two combined put him in the hospital and he deteriorated rapidly.  The treatment was for a second lung transplant.  They rapidly began preparing him for a second transplant but a few days before being relisted, his heart stopped and he passed away early in the morning on June 7, 2019.  His body just could not take any more and he went peacefully and quickly.  
 Ron began taking up pencil coloring and completed a dozen or more pieces of art.  He really enjoyed it and it helped him tremendously.  He was very proud of them and they were absolutely beautiful.  He also enjoyed living in the desert and potted cactus and desert plants.  He always loved keeping up to date with the real estate market and his biggest dream was to purchase a home in Tucson.  We found a house we loved and closed on the house May 27, 2019.  Although Ron will never get to live in the house physically, he will live in the house with his husband in spirit.  His final wish came true. 

Donations in his honor www.pahs.petfinder.org
Plainfield Area Humane Society
75 Rock Ave
Plainfield, NJ  07063
“To find a loving home for every homeless pet”