Benjamin Ronald Okulski

1933–2026

Benjamin Ronald Okulski, 92, of Tiburon, passed away at home on April 26, 2026, surrounded by family following several recent hospitalizations. He was born in April 1933 in New Jersey to William and Aniela Okulski. Growing up alongside his older sister, Connie, Ron spent his summers at a log cabin at Pinecrest Lake, where he became an expert marksman and won several skeet and trap tournaments. Throughout his life, he was known by several names: Ben in his professional life, Ron to his friends, and Ronnie to his parents and sister.

In 1948, the family moved to “the country” in Wayne, New Jersey, into a home they built and landscaped themselves —eventually winning an award for its beauty. Life in Wayne was filled with Polish traditions, music played by his many uncles, and PAL baseball. Ron attended St. Mary’s High School, where he played varsity baseball and first set his sights on a career in broadcasting.

At Seton Hall University, Ron pivoted from the field to the booth at the college radio station, WSOU-FM. There, he served as a sports statistician and hosted his own program, “Stairway to the Stars.” He also joined ROTC, leading to his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army upon graduation.

Ron was deployed to Korea with the 528th Military Police Battalion. His background in communications quickly led to unique assignments, including serving as a VIP Escort protecting dignitaries and USO stars like Rita Moreno. He also served as the AFKN Program Director, managing six radio stations for the Armed Forces, and became a television pioneer by producing “The Eighth Army Hour,” the first television program ever broadcast in Korea.

After returning to the States and completing his service at Fort Dix, Ron entered the professional broadcasting world in New York City. Offered positions at all three major networks, he chose ABC. Starting as a clerk, he rose steadily through the sales service departments before transitioning into television sales. By 1958, Ron was handling spot sales for five stations at ABC.

Ron met the love of his life, Jacqueline “Jackie” Ranges, on their daily bus commute to New York City. She worked as an assistant to the CEO at ITT. They were married in 1960 and soon welcomed three daughters: Michelle, Janelle, and Danielle.

In 1970, Ron’s career with WABC-TV brought the family to San Francisco, where he was promoted to general sales manager at KGO-TV. Jackie flew out to scout for a home and fell in love with Tiburon; they bought a house in the Del Mar neighborhood and immediately joined the Tiburon Peninsula Club. Both became active tennis players, and their daughters joined the swim team.

When ABC requested another relocation in 1973, Ron chose to remain in California, transitioning to World Vision, ABC’s film syndication division. Although he briefly returned to New York for a promotion in 1975, his family’s love for California — and a particularly harsh snowstorm — convinced him to return west after only six months.

Back in California, he launched his own syndication company, Telefilm Sales. While the company was gaining momentum, he briefly served as general sales manager at KBHK in 1976. Telefilm Sales eventually went on to represent a roster of iconic programs, including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Hill Street Blues,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “The White Shadow,” “Concentration,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Match Game.” Ron’s magnetic personality made him a natural salesperson, and Telefilm Sales became the pinnacle of his professional life.

Ron loved his life in Tiburon and remained an active member of the Tiburon Peninsula Club, where he played tennis into his 90s. He was a founding member of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out), a social group that met several times a week for tennis and coffee over the past 30 years. He was a devoted parishioner at St. Hilary Church for over 65 years, and he also enjoyed his involvement with the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society. There, he served as a museum docent at China Cabin until the age of 90, welcoming visitors and sharing the history of the site.

Ron had boundless curiosity and energy. He loved musical theater and pursued sports both as an athlete and a spectator. With a stopwatch in hand, he was a devoted swim parent over the years, and was an enthusiastic fan when Danielle pursued Little League. He never missed a 49er or Giants game. He loved to spend Sundays reading the paper cover to cover and was an avid gardener, having helped with the landscaping in his childhood home and designing the garden of the Tiburon family home.

Ron was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jackie, who passed away from multiple sclerosis in 2018. He is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Michelle and Craig Nadel of Santa Monica, Janelle and Michael Grimes of Hillsborough, and Danielle and Rick Racich of Tiburon.

He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Erin Rasmussen (Taylor), Brian Nadel, Lauren Nadel (Joe Yu), Jeff Grimes (Kathleen), Audrey Grimes, and Jake, Jacqueline, and Kendall Racich. His legacy continues through six great-grandchildren: Jay, Reuben, and Dominic Yu; Theo and Elle Rasmussen; and Veronica Grimes. Ron has two namesakes among his descendants: his grandson Brian Benjamin Nadel, and his great-granddaughter Veronica “Ronnie” Grimes.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Hilary Church in Tiburon on Thursday, May 28th, 2026, at 1:30 PM, with a reception to follow in Tarantino Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society, or to St. Hilary Church.