Ronald Andrew Hogas, 13, of Chesterfield, NJ, passed away on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Known as "Sunny" to those who loved him or "MeetLocket42886" to the Xbox world , Ronald touched others with his endearing smile and positivity. His passion for food ignited his love for trying and cooking "bizarre" and "DDD" foods around the world. His creativity flourished with his many Lego creations, Science Olympiads, and G&T programs. And no matter his location, he always found ways to connect with his friends through the gaming world. In addition, he enjoyed soccer, swimming, traveling, and being in Boy Scout Troop 112. No matter what, he always wanted to be just another kid.

A diplomat and trendsetter, he negotiated his pathway through life on his own terms. Whether leading a parade through the hospital to the food trucks or taking his own bed to the ICU, Ronald left a lasting impression wherever he went, a true warrior. As his doctor would say, "Ronald is Ronald."

His curiosity and love of learning inspired him to want to become a pediatric oncologist, one who would empathize with his patients because he would "know what they were going through." His journey has undoubtedly impacted the Oncology field helping doctors develop better therapies.

Ronald was an honorable loving son, caring big brother, and grandson. He is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Tiberiu and Rozalia Hogas; survived by his parents, Cristian and Mihaela Hogas, his sister, Sophia, and his maternal grandparents, Virgil and Gina Tescasi, all of Chesterfield. He is also survived by his uncle, Genucu Tescasi of Brasov, Romania; his aunt, Luminita Lazarescu of Bucharest, Romania, as well as cousins and his Godparents, Cristian and Simona Petcu of Acton, MA.

A viewing will be held Monday, January 8th from 5-9pm with an evening service to begin at 7:30pm and again on Tuesday, January 9th from 9-11am at the Peppler Funeral Home, 122 Crosswicks St. Bordentown. A Christian Orthodox funeral service will be held 11am on Tuesday at the funeral home. Father Sabin Pop will officiate.

Interment will follow in North Crosswicks Cemetery, Hamilton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be distributed to several charities and places in Ronald's name at a later date. To contributed to charitable donations, please send contributions to the Hogas Family C/O Peppler Funeral Home, PO Box 275, Allentown, NJ 08501.

The Hogas family thanks the many people from the local community, the various organizations, churches, schools, hospitals, businesses who came together and helped along the way. Just to name a few: Embrace Kids, Hole in the Wall, Make a Wish, Ronald McDonald House, Ashley Lauren, NIH, RWJ, CHOP, Boy Scouts, Rutgers Sigma Chi Fraternity… a heartfelt thank you to everyone.