The Roots of a Resilient Life
I often think of lives like Ronald Corrado Furlan’s as sturdy bridges, spanning generations with quiet strength. Born in December 1953 in Pennsylvania, he entered the world amid the echoes of Italian immigrant tales. His paternal grandfather, Eugenio Joseph Furlan Sr., carried the spirit of Padua in Veneto, while his grandmother, Flora M. Girini, wove threads from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Ancona in Marche. These roots, like deep underground rivers, nourished a family tree that blended Sicilian and Austrian influences through his wife Jill’s side. Ronald, now 72, resides in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, a town that feels like a calm harbor after decades of movement.
Short bursts of facts reveal much. He stands as a retired civil engineer, his days once filled with blueprints and regulations. Yet, peel back the layers, and you find a man whose essence lies in family bonds. Public glimpses show him as Ron, humorous and grounded, sharing laughs over aging or puzzles. His life, unmarred by scandals, unfolds like a well-planned roadmap, from education to retirement.
Family Ties: The Heart of the Furlan Story
Family, for me, is the true architecture of Ronald’s world. He married Jill Anne Pisano around the 1970s, a nurse born in 1954, whose Sicilian heritage via her father John H. Pisano and mother Philomena Theresa “Phyllis” Fragale adds vibrant colors to their shared canvas. They’ve shared homes across Pennsylvania: Telford, Sellersville, Perkasie, Hershey, and now 1903 Limestone Drive in Hummelstown, valued at about $346,176. It’s a middle-class haven, steady as a heartbeat.
Their son, Gregory J. Furlan, likely in his 40s or 50s, extends the lineage. Married to Kristen, Gregory fathers two grandsons, Luca and Enzo, who light up Ronald’s world. I imagine Ronald’s face beaming like a sunrise when he receives a “Grandpop” shirt from them. Then there’s daughter Brittany Jayne Furlan Lee, born on September 5, 1986, in Perkasie. She’s the public spark, a comedian and actress who conquered Vine with over 10 million followers. Her marriage to Tommy Lee on February 14, 2019, brought rock-star flair, but she credits Ronald’s daily calls as her anchor. “This is the guy who calls me every single day,” she once shared, a testament to unbreakable threads.
Extended kin weave in subtly. Zulmiro Furlan, perhaps a brother or uncle, lingers in records, a quiet shadow. The family’s pet, Cocker Spaniel Buffy, who passed 15 years ago around 2011, remains a fond memory, like a faded photograph in a cherished album. Relationships seem warm, laced with humor. Ronald’s online posts bubble with positivity: jokes about gravity’s cruelty or pirate-themed jests. No rifts surface; instead, affection flows freely, a gentle stream through time.
Career Path: Building Foundations in Engineering
Ronald’s professional stronghold was engineering. After earning a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Villanova University in 1976, he became involved with the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). His abilities were shaped like steel in a furnace over those four years, from 1972 to 1976.
He worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for more than 40 years, eventually becoming the Environmental Division Engineer and Manager in the Planning and Permits Division. Part of the story can be told by the numbers: in September 2019, he testified before the PA Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee about the difficulties in municipal compliance with stormwater management under MS4 procedures. His knowledge influenced policy as a registered professional engineer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, serving as ASCE’s representative on the Sewage Advisory Committee until its replacement in 2017.
He retired in June 2017, but he didn’t enjoy being idle. Alongside Carter Wyckoff and Robert Cerminara, he became the Secretary of the Derry Township Municipal Authority (DTMA) Board. Since 2017, this position has concentrated on Dauphin County’s water and sewerage systems. Achievements are fundamental, like invisible foundations supporting a community, rather than ostentatious. He probably made between $80,000 and $120,000 a year as a DEP, which allowed him to live well but modestly. Here, gradual growth is the norm rather than ostentation.
A Timeline of Milestones: Mapping the Journey
Timelines fascinate me; they turn lives into navigable rivers. Ronald’s flows steadily, marked by dates and events that build like layers of sediment.
| Year/Period | Key Events |
|---|---|
| December 1953 | Born in Pennsylvania to Eugenio Joseph Furlan and Flora M. Girini. |
| 1972-1976 | Studies Civil Engineering at Villanova University; engages in ASCE, ITE, and rugby. |
| 1970s | Begins engineering career; marries Jill Anne Pisano. |
| 1980s | Son Gregory born; daughter Brittany born on September 5, 1986; family relocates through Telford and Sellersville. |
| 1990s-2000s | Advances at PA DEP; manages environmental planning; moves to Perkasie and Hershey. |
| Around 2011 | Family pet Buffy passes after 15 years. |
| 2011-2016 | Peaks in DEP role, overseeing permits and programs. |
| June 2017 | Retires from DEP; joins DTMA Board as Secretary. |
| 2017 | Brittany begins relationship with Tommy Lee. |
| 2018 | Brittany posts Father’s Day tribute to Ronald. |
| February 14, 2019 | Brittany marries Tommy Lee. |
| September 2019 | Testifies on MS4 requirements before PA Senate. |
| 2022 | Turns 69; shares humorous X post about aging. |
| 2023 | Posts witty replies on X, like “Gravity is cruel!” |
| 2025 | Solves online riddles; updates family joys on Instagram. |
| 2026 | Indirectly linked to Brittany’s news; continues life in Hummelstown. |
This table captures the rhythm: education in the 1970s, family growth in the 1980s, professional zenith in the 2000s, and reflective retirement since 2017. Numbers anchor it 72 years, two children, two grandchildren, over 40 career years.
Recent Glimpses: Humor and Heritage in Retirement
Lately, Ronald’s world shines through social media, a window into his soul. On X, under @RonFurlan and @Rcf378Ron, he quips about turning 69 in 2022, his body a reminder of youthful folly. Puzzles intrigue him; in 2025, he cracked a car gear riddle swiftly. Instagram @ronfurlan brims with grandfatherly pride: Luca and Enzo’s gifts, sunset watches, pet nostalgia. His bio reads “Dad, Husband, Civil Engineer… God bless!” a simple creed.
News touches him peripherally through Brittany. In January 2026, her entanglement with musician Ronnie Radke drew headlines, but Ronald stays sidelined, his life a calm eddy. Italian-American heritage persists, a cultural compass guiding family gatherings. Interests vary: movies like Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, positive vibes amid aging’s jests. It’s a phase of quiet joys, like embers glowing after a long fire.
FAQ
Who is Ronald Corrado Furlan’s immediate family?
Ronald’s immediate circle includes his wife Jill Anne Pisano, a dedicated nurse sharing decades of marriage. Their son Gregory J. Furlan, married to Kristen, brings grandsons Luca and Enzo into the fold. Daughter Brittany Furlan Lee, born in 1986, adds celebrity sparkle as an actress and comedian wed to Tommy Lee since 2019.
What was Ronald Corrado Furlan’s professional background?
He built a 40-plus-year career in civil and environmental engineering, primarily at Pennsylvania’s DEP as a manager in planning and permits. Post-2017 retirement, he serves as DTMA Board Secretary, focusing on local infrastructure. His Villanova degree from 1976 and PE registrations in two states underscore his expertise.
How does Ronald Corrado Furlan connect to Italian heritage?
His ancestry traces to Italy’s diverse regions: Veneto through grandfather Eugenio, Friuli and Marche via grandmother Flora. Jill’s Sicilian roots via John Pisano deepen this tapestry, creating a family mosaic of immigrant resilience.
What are some personal interests of Ronald Corrado Furlan?
Humor tops the list; his X posts jest about aging and riddles. Family moments dominate Instagram: grandson interactions, pet memories like Buffy. He enjoys puzzles, sunsets, and lighthearted positivity, painting a picture of a contented retiree.
Has Ronald Corrado Furlan been in the news recently?
Mentions are sparse and tied to daughter Brittany’s 2026 incident with Ronnie Radke, but Ronald himself avoids the spotlight, focusing on private life in Hummelstown.
