With his family gathered tightly around him, Ronald Vito LaBella passed away peacefully on
November 27, 2022.
Just as tightly, Ron grew and prospered as sibling #3 of a very closely bound group of five
siblings – who all resided in this Pocket Area of Sacramento.
Although Ron was in the middle of the pack, anyone who knew Ron also knew that he served as
the family’s great ambassador of class and kindness. He must have paid very careful attention
to his Dad - Frank LaBella Senior – who we all know taught his children well in so many areas of
grace and manners. His “hissing” type smile was omnipresent … and his warmth was always
available to anyone who enjoyed his company on any given day.
Ron is preceded in death by his wife - Nancy LaBella; his brothers - Frank LaBella Jr and Robert
(Bob) LaBella; and his sister - Anita Benjamin – who passed just 13 months ago.
Ron is survived by his two children - David LaBella and Libby Neil (Jimmy); his grandsons -
Matthew LaBella and Jimmy Neil IV; and by his youngest sister - Linda Pohl; and by his longtime
companion Dee Schwindt. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Ron was actually born at home in Newark, New Jersey on May 12, 1935, to Frank and Lucille
LaBella – two amazing parents who could be chapters in a book about the Greatest Generation.
Frank and Lucille raised their precocious family in New Jersey – or as many refer to as the
Greater Metropolitan Area of New York City. Who can ever forget their own version of the
“white house” in Newark, NJ. While Frank, Anita and Ron were the first trio – the second wave
of Bob and then Linda … simply added more wonderful and often hilarious content to the family
story. Meanwhile Ron was simply playing the middle perfectly - the more quiet doer and
extraordinary achiever.
Ron graduated from Tenafly High School and then from Trinity College in Connecticut – which is
to this day a proud member of the “Little Ivies” – and a highly acclaimed school of Liberal Arts.
When duty called – Ron answered the call and became a flyboy in 1958 – serving in the United
States Air Force for three years and departing with a rank of Captain.
That wouldn’t be the only thing that Ron achieved rather quickly … in that as the stories go …
Ron met his wife Nancy on a blind date … and they were wed within 6 weeks on Feb 27, 1960!
Gotta love THAT kind of passion and commitment.
It was that kind of passion that fueled this man to travel west in the early 60’s and resulted in
him building the iconic real estate company – that we all know as Camelot Realty. His brother
Frank was already a “competitor” in this space and brother Bob would follow into this industry a
few years later. But the best part of that is that they never really competed – they were simply
reunited and all flourished in the joy of true brotherhood!
His passion for the Real Estate Industry soared quickly as he became a lifetime member of the
California Association of Realtors (CAR) and served countless leadership roles over the past
many years.
And yet one more way you recognized Ron’s passion was every time he either watched or
attended a beloved San Francisco Giants game.
Ron was also an accomplished golfer – although in his ever so humble way – he always called
himself a hacker – but of course that “hacker” went on to preside as a President of Valley Hi
Country Club … but that’s Ron for you – the quiet achiever – so well known for his relentless
honesty, fairness, trustworthiness, and integrity.
Oh yea, he also understood the importance of faith and became a Deacon at Parkside Church.
We miss you already Dear Ron.
A public visitation will be held at East Lawn, 4300 Folsom Blvd Sacramento on December 6,
2022, at 10am - 11am. With Service at 11am at East Lawn Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Ron can be made to the American Diabetes
Association or the Sacramento Association of Realtors Scholarship Fund.

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