Ronald Gisi

Ronald Eugene Gisi, 63, departed earth and entered heaven on Nov. 20, 2015. Survived by his sister, Gail Wilkerson; brother, Rick Gisi and his wife Rosie; and special friends, Ed, Janette, Hunter and Fisher Reinert. Preceded in death by his parents, Lola and Eugene Gisi. Special thanks to the following people and organizations, Dr. Lamar Trent, Trevor Boggs of Bluesky, Ted Hernandez of Spectrum, Duncan McAuliffe, Jim Sarti of Maximum Health and Stephanie Garcia of the Arc of Pueblo. Private family celebration of life service will take place on Dec. 13, 2015. Memorials may be made to Reinert Host Home, 1819 Maplewood Dr., Pueblo, CO 81005 (719) 569-1389. Please feel free to include your thoughts and feelings so that they can be shared with others who cared for Ron at www.montgomerysteward.com ******** RONNIE GISI'S LIFE THROUGH HIS SISTERS EYES Ronnie was the son of Lola and Gene Gisi. He was a beautiful and loving brother. As he grew up it was found that he was DD (developmentally disabled), which back then was a battle within itself for a young boy. At a young age he was moved to Pueblo, Colorado where they could help him with his mental disabilities. Ron worked so hard to make everyone proud of him, even though everything was a challenge. Our family made many trips down to Pueblo getting Kentucky Fried Chicken and going to the park for our visits with him. As we were both growing up I realized that every day of Ronnie's life was a challenge and that most people could not walk in his shoes. In 1990 Ron was moved to a half-way house where he met Ed Reinert who became his care giver. He lived in this group home with numerous other providers, some good, some not so good. During this stay Ron and Ed created a lovely bond. Ron loved Ed and he loved Ronnie. After this bond was created they were never apart. Ed played a major role in Ron's life with his successes and failures. Due to this bond Ron worked very hard to achieve all his goals. In fact Ronnie had 2, 366 consecutive days of stars (which for him was what he called his goals). In 2008 me and the Reinert family decided to build an addition to the Reinert home so that Ronnie could for the first time in his life say he could have the peace and happiness he had worked so hard for. The Reinert family all opened there hearts and made him one of their family. Ronnie's happiness and life was finally like yours and mine. In fact he started calling Ed (dad), Janette Ed's wife (mom). He also got a new best friend Hunter (Ed's oldest son). Hunter started taking Ron on outings such as bowling, to play pool, fishing and just sitting down and having a Tortino's pizza while visiting. Fisher (Ed's youngest son) would go over every morning and they would have breakfast together. Ronnie was finally living the American dream of having his own home, his own recliner, his own dog (Lucky). He could finally relax and watch Texas Walker and do things that we all take for granted. His life was the best ever. Ronnie also loved his brother Rick and his wife Rosie. He always said he wanted to grow up and be like his brother and get a wife just like Rosie. Rosie being the awesome lady she is came into the family and opened her heart to Ron, without judgment or questions. Ronnie felt her warmth, love and smiles and loved the cookies that she always made for him when he came to Denver for visits. About 17 months ago Ronnie fell and fractured his hip. After that things just kept spiraling downhill. Ed and his family all stepped up with the difficult task of helping Ronnie, in ways that they had never had to do before. As an outsider I watched what they gave up in their daily lives and what they did for my brother, because he was not the same, but they did not give up on him. We do not know what happened with that fall but Ronnie never came back both mentally and physically. After being hospitalized with pneumonia and losing the use of his left arm and leg Ron had to go to a nursing home for rehab. He was totally devastated! I watched him try so hard but something was wrong with his brain, worse than anything he had his whole life. No matter how hard he tried he could not get past his new issues. I asked him what he wanted for his birthday. He sat in his wheelchair, got this smile and said: #1 – I want to go back to my home. #2 – I want to be with my family again. #3 – I want to be with my dog Lucky. #4 – I want to be able to watch Texas Walker on my big TV. He continued with I promise I will do good. I miss Dad and Mom and Hunter. I miss moms cooking. My brother begged me to take him home. He said I don't like it here; this place is like being in hell. I watched my brother telling me these things knowing I could not make it happen and it literally broke my heart. Ronnie loved all and wanted little but to be loved. I think the Reinert family, my brother Rick and Rosie and myself know that the last 8 years of his life were the best. He worked hard for everything he wanted but just was not here for long enough. I can never thank the Reinert Family for the love and kindness they gave to my brother. Your family was a gift from GOD to help my brother through his life. He loved you guys so much and you will always be family to me.