Ronald J. Czajkowski, 78,

Journalist, Teacher, Father, Poppy

Ronald Czajkowski, 78, of Somerville died Monday, October 19, 2026 after a long illness. A devoted father first and friend to many, his career spanned five decades and saw him enjoy a life's work as a newsman, high school teacher and a vice president for a statewide trade association.

Born in Somerville in 1948 to Charles and Helen (Grodzki) Czajkowski, Ron grew up in Hillsborough and was a 1967 graduate of Somerville High School where he was senior class president. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Muhlenberg College where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and played lacrosse. He received a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University in 1975.

Although he worked for ten years as a reporter and editor for both the Hunterdon County Democrat and the New Brunswick Daily Home News, teaching was his first love. Early in his career he taught English and journalism at Blair Academy in Blairstown where he also was a dorm and academic counselor and helped coach lacrosse.

For 23 years, the bulk of his professional career was spent as a vice president of communications and member services with the New Jersey Hospital Association in Princeton. After retiring in 2010, he returned to teaching as a regular substitute at various Catholic schools in Somerset County. He was a communicant at both Saint Matthias Church, Somerset and Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville.

Active in numerous community and civic groups, Ron was a member of the BPOE Somerville

#1068 Elks Lodge. He once served on trustee boards for the New Jersey Press Association, the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey and the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame. Upon retiring, he volunteered as a tour guide at the Somerville Firemen's Museum and served on the Mayors Historical Advisory Committee,

In the late 1970s he was one of the co-founders of the Hugh Boyd Urban Journalism Workshop for minority high school students. Active in cycling, he helped for decades as a volunteer organizer of the Tour of Somerville bicycle races. He also helped coach his son's various Little League and Senior League teams in Franklin Township and Somerville.

Ron cherished travels and sharing life-long experiences with his devoted son, Jon, including fishing in upstate New York and yearly trips to watch NHL hockey games throughout the Northeast and Canada. He also enjoyed time spent with friends, playing golf, hiking, vacations in the Adirondacks, reading good books and umpiring beer league softball games, which he considered therapeutic. He always enjoyed listening to a good story as well as telling one.

He was predeceased by his wife, Diane. He is survived by his beloved son, Jon of Branchburg and wife Alyssa and grandson Mason; also, cousins Christine Czajkowski of Westhampton Beach, N.Y.; Dr. Cynthia Czajkowski of Madison, Wisc. and Dr. Laura Czajkowski of Salt Lake City, Utah. Also, surviving are his brother-in-law Thomas Droppa and wife Alyssa of Holmdel and nieces Taylor, Olivia and Sophie, and his best friend Penny Venis

Memorial visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00PM on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be confirmed shortly for Saturday, October 24, 2026

Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manville

Memorial contribution may be made in Ron's name to the Cardinal and Grey Society, Muhlenberg College, 2400 West Chew Street, Allentown Pa 18104.  Click Here