Romeo Mallari Rones was born on October 17, 1958, in Negros, the Visayan Island, in the Philippines to Raymond and Marcelina Rones.  He was the second eldest of four children, Ronnie, Romeo, Rolando, and Rosan.  In 1966, the Rones family sailed across the Pacific Ocean and landed in the port of San Francisco and made Pittsburg, California their home.

Romeo grew up in Warren way and attended Parkside Elementary, Central Jr. High, and Pittsburg High.  He was a "Parkside Kid" and was very proud of it.  He even named one of his dogs "Parkside".  Growing up in Parkside, he formed many long lasting friendships that he still kept until his last day.  Those of you who grew up in Parkside know the special bond that you all share and the memories that you had with Romeo.  Romeo loved having fun and threw many garage parties in Warren Way.  He would put up Bruce Lee posters on the wall, a black light where everyone's teeth glowed in the dark, and blasted Earth, Wind, & Fire music throughout the neighborhood. If it wasn't his favorite music playing it was him playing his Timbales with a group of family and friends having a band session in the garage.  Romeo loved music, gatherings, and cars.

Romeo founded the "Street Players" car club back in the late 70s.  He organized cruises up and down Railroad Avenue and organized many car show events throughout Pittsburg. Romeo loved cars!  He was very talented in fixing them.  Romeo started painting cars in his teens.  His first car he painted was his Lincoln Continental. For those who remember, it was blue and silver with so much glitter!  At an early age Romeo worked fixing cars.  He went to school to learn the trade of Auto Body.   In 1996, Romeo opened up R n R Auto Body in Pittsburg.  Romeo owned R n R Auto body for 27 years.  His body shop will remain open for business with his son, Romeo, Jr. taking over his legacy.

Romeo had two children.  At the age of 20, he had Jennifer and at the age of 26, he had Romeo Jr.  Romeo Sr. never married until he was 55 years old to Lisa Sharrock Rones on September 26, 2014.  They were matched by a cousin to go on a blind date where they hit it off, fell in love, and married on a beach in Flor-Abama. When Lisa passed away in 2019, he was heartbroken.  He lost the love of his life.  Afterwards, he made the decision to go forward and move on and in 2020, he found love again when Debra walked into his body shop. He told her that he Googled her a week before and if she wanted to go out with him.  This is when they became inseparable and enjoyed life together until his passing.

Romeo loved the outdoors.  In his younger years, he enjoyed traveling, boating, jet & watering skiing, fishing, and riding his Harley with family and friends. In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, having gatherings at his home, fishing, and camping in his RV.   He would drive his RV to different campsites and would call everyone to come and enjoy the fun with him.  Romeo was a very social person.  He was the life of the party.  He was Mr. Fun!  He was the type of person who wasn't shy to get to know you.  If you were around Romeo and he didn't know you he would make sure that he introduced himself saying, "Hi, I'm Romeo" and shake your hand. Romeo was a very kind man.  He would bend backwards to help anyone out.  His heart was as big as his personality.  He will be dearly missed by everyone that knew him.

In Romeo's memory, please take the time to get to know people around you.  Enjoy life and have fun.  Don't take things too seriously.  And most of all love one another.

Romeo Mallari Rones is survived by his mother, Marcelina M. Rones.  His daughter, Jennifer (Richard) Adona, grandchildren, Lillian, Rizal, Genesee, and Malakai.  His son, Romeo Rones, Jr.  Eldest brother Ronnie (Bessie) Rones, nephews Richard (Lisa), and Ronald Rones.  Youngest Brother Rolando (Liz) Rones, nephew Rolando Jr., nieces Sandralina (Erica) Rones, great nephew, Luca, and Mi'chael (Jennifer) Rones. His little sister, Raquel-Rosan (Michael) Eseed, and nephew Jeremiah (Camille) Eseed, and Debra, his girlfriend.  Along with many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Memorial mass will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 10:00am at Church of the Good Shepherd. A reception will follow at the church hall.