BOARDMAN — Ronald Joseph “Mosch” Moschella, 72, of Boardman, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, with his loving family by his side, at the Hospice House.
Ron was born March 2, 1950, in Youngstown, the son of Joseph and Harriet Moschella and was a lifelong resident of the Youngstown / Boardman area.
He was a graduate of Ursuline High School in 1968, where he played basketball. He then followed his grade and high school sweetheart, Judy, to Kent State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1972. They were married March 18, 1972, in Kent. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past spring. He later earned his master’s degree in administration from Youngstown State University.
Ronald was hired in 1972 as a marketing education teacher in Howland schools, where he taught for six years. He then transferred to Boardman, where he is best known for his position as the girls basketball coach. Mosch’s career there as the head coach ran from 1981 to 2011. In his time there, he accumulated nearly 600 wins. After coaching at BHS, he then moved to a position at Columbiana High School where he earned, in over 130 games as the head girls basketball coach, wins totaling over 700, making him the third winningest Ohio high school basketball coach. He was able to head back to Boardman as an assistant for this year’s current season.
Mosch was honored as the North East Ohio Coach of the Year six times. He also won 26 conference championships, 21 district championships and two final four state appearances. He was inducted into the Boardman High School Hall of Fame, the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame and the Ohio High School Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition, coach Mosch also loved to coach golf and had the pleasure of coaching two of his grandchildren, Jenna Vivo and Brian Terlesky, at Boardman High School, traveling with each of them to Ohio High School State tournaments. Mosch was the ultimate teacher and coach because he was able to make his students and players reach their greatest potential (if you could handle it). He lived life with passion and intensity, and has left an imprint on the Boardman community that has impacted generations of students and players.
Although his achievements and wins are vast, his greatest accomplishments in life were those off the basketball court through the love he shared for his wife, daughters and grandchildren.
Mosch leaves behind his loving wife, Judy; his children, Nadine (Nicholas) Colla and Jolene (Donald) Ross, and son-in-law, Brian Terlesky. He loved his family and was especially proud of his 10 grandchildren, Jimmy and Jenna Vivo, Lia and Nicholas Colla, Brian, Tyler, and Emma Terlesky, and Tessa, Gianna, and Lena Ross; and his family dog, Maggie.
Ron is reunited in Heaven with his beloved daughter, Christine Terlesky, who preceded him in death; along with a sister, Joanne Gatta.
He looked forward most to Judy’s sauce and Sunday spaghetti dinners when his whole family would get together and stay for the whole day. Ron had a love to share all of the things he enjoyed with others. He was emotional and passionate, wearing his heart on his sleeve. He wore the best cologne, made the best jokes and made his friends into his family. He loved giant cigars, huge Italian dinners, going out to eat, taking trips to Las Vegas, taking his grandchildren golfing at Mill Creek and playing card games in his basement. If you knew Mosch, you had a story about him, and those stories are unforgettable. His memory will live in the hearts of his family and the many lives he touched.
Friends and family may pay their respects from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, at the Boardman High School gymnasium. Please enter through Door 8.
A time of visitation will be held from 10 until 10:50 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive, Boardman, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with the Very Rev. Monsignor John Zuraw J.C.L., V.G., as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations that will be contributed to the Christine Terlesky Scholarship Fund, 549 West Glen Drive, Boardman, OH 44512. This is awarded to a Boardman High School student to help further their education.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.
Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the Moschella family.
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