Spreading Wisdom and Warmth: Meet the “Mayor of Round Hill,” Mr. Ron Scalise
“Want what you have.”
“One day at a time.”
“Positive thinking is the most important thing you can do in life.”
At 81 years young, Mr. Ron Scalise of Round Hill lives by these simple yet profound mottos, and he’s not shy about sharing his wisdom. Known fondly as the “Mayor of Round Hill,” Ron has called Round Hill home for 35 years, embracing all it offers with gratitude and enthusiasm.
“We are so blessed,” he smiles. The secret to being content is wanting what you have. “I tell my
kids that,” he says. We live in a land of opportunity and often forget the blessings that we do
have.
Ron has lived a wonderful life, all that started serving others.
A Life in the Meat Business
“I started in the meat business,” he comments. “My father opened a meat market in 1935.”
Together with his brother, Ron expanded the business, eventually managing another location in
Berkeley. In 1989, he left the family business to open Blackhawk Meats with his friend Frank
Straface.
A year later, Ron moved to San Francisco, where he joined his father-in-law at a wholesale meat market. He worked there until retiring at age 70, having been part of one of the oldest meat companies in San Francisco, F. Uri, which closed in 2014.
Loving Life with Family
Even though Ron loved being a butcher, his proudest accomplishment is his family. Ron got
married at the age of 38 and he and his wife, Claudia, have been married for 42 years. “That
was my first marriage,” he points out. “Once is enough,” he laughs. Together, he and Claudia
built a close-knit family with lots of grandchildren.
“We started off with seven grandsons and then we finally had three girls,” he says. “Eight live in
the area.” Ron is affectionately known as “Uncle Ronnie.” He treasures time with his family.
“I’m so proud of my grandkids and love watching them play basketball and flag football.”
Ron also cherishes family dinners, often featuring Italian cuisine. “My mother was born in Italy
and I love Italian food,” he raves. An excellent cook, Ron loves to make delicious dishes. “My
wife also loves to cook. We are always entertaining and having family dinners.”
Ron stays active and involved, maintaining connections through the Columbia Club in Oakland,
where he was the youngest president in 1972. He remains active in the Italian community,
preserving his heritage and sharing it with his family.
The Secret to Happiness
“Round Hill is my home,” says Ron. “It’s just a great experience living here.” You can find him
playing golf, going to the gym, and having dinner at the Club.
Ron’s outlook on life is as refreshing as it is inspiring: “You only have one time here, so you
might as well enjoy it.” Whether spending time with his beloved 5-year-old Bernedoodle,
Rocko, or biking, Ron approaches life with optimism. He has no plans of slowing down.
Currently, he is renovating his pool and redoing the inside of his home.
As the unofficial “Mayor of Round Hill,” Ron Scalise is a beloved member of the community. Age is just a number for him. “I may act like a kid,” he jokes, “but I’m not.”
He concludes, “God has been really good to me.” He’s counting his blessings every day, grateful for his health, his family, and his longevity.