Obituary of Ronald S. Dancer
Ronald S. Dancer, age 73, of New Egypt passed away Saturday, July 23 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Born in Trenton to the late Stanley and Rachel Dancer, he was a lifetime New Egypt resident. Ron was a graduate of the Peddie School in Hightstown and served in the US Army from 1969 to 1971. He was well-known as a horse breeder.
His late father, Stanley F. Dancer, was an internationally acclaimed harness racing driver and horse trainer who won three harness racing Triple Crowns. Ron spent 22 years as a professional horse trainer and driver with the Stanley Dancer Horse Racing Stables.
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He was an active member of the Hornerstown Baptist Church and participated in the men’s bible study for many years. Ron was a big supporter of the local police and the NJ State Police. He first became involved in local politics in the 1980’s first serving the citizens of Plumsted Township on the Planning Board from 1983-2019, Mayor from 1990-2011, Municipal Utilities Authority from 2012-2019 and Honorary Business Administrator from 2012-2017. Ron also served in Ocean County as the Board of Social Services Chairman, the Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Committee, the Senior Citizens Advisory Board and the Human Services Advisory Council. He was first elected to the New Jersey State Assembly in 2002 and was reelected nine times. During his two decades in the Assembly, Ron served as deputy minority leader and assistant minority leader.
A conservative Republican, he had earned respect and admiration from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and helped usher in legislation to assist his fellow military veterans as well as New Jersey’s farming communities and horse racing industries.
Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Brenda (Hopkins) Dancer; a son, Ronald Dancer, Jr. and wife Sherri; a daughter, Kristy Sorensen and husband Timothy; three grandchildren, Bryce, Michael and Brianna; two sisters, Susan Moyher and husband David and Shaldonna Chiasson; many cousins including a very special cousin James Dancer who gave Ron a kidney 33 years ago and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services and burial for Ron will be private at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Tilghman Funeral Home in New Egypt (www.tilghmanfh.com).
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ron’s memory can be made to either the Standardbred Retirement Foundation, 42 Arneytown-Hornerstown Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514 (www.adoptahorse.org/memorial-commemorative) or to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hyland Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 (www.t2t.org/donate/).
