"For Ronald and Mona Blissett, life in the Dominican Republic isn?t exactly paradise. The Blissetts put in long days, and sometimes nights, to make sure things are working properly at Trade Winds Condominiums. ? This quotation appeared on the front page of The Puerto Plata News on February 21, 1992. At that time, Trade Winds was four years old.
Ronald Gerald Blissett, loving husband, father and grandfather was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, December 19, 2011, in Dothan, Alabama. He was 76.
Ronald Blissett first came to the Dominican Republic in 1956 as a 21 year old working for Pan American World Airways on a missile tracking station in Sabana Del Mar. He fell in love with the country at that time and promised himself he would someday come back. That he did!
In 1985 he and his wife, Mona Merle Blissett, arrived in Sosua and started construction of Trade Winds Condominiums and a personal house in Los Cerros de Sosua. Their youngest son, Michael (Blissett Builders, Inc) and wife, Angie, joined them in 1987 and helped build Trade Winds and then Condos Mona (later named The Palms and now called Sosua?s Best). Ronald built Sun and Surf (now called Wind Chimes) in Cabarete and the development of Caribbean Hills on the El Choc? Road. Their immeasurable love for the Dominican people inspired another resume of work which included the founding, building and funding of the Garden Kids Private School. He also started a dental program with donations from several Dothan dentists distributing toothbrushes and paste to children in Cabarete.
Ronald?s last project in the Dominican Republic was a joint-venture with Sr. Fausto Pimentel, owner and CEO of Banco Santa Cruz converting the hotel One Ocean Place into condominiums now named the Garden Condos.
Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Ronald was President of Blissett Homes, Inc. and spent much time traveling back and forth attending to business in Alabama with oldest son, James and wife Monica. He established Blissett Homes, Inc which was the beginning of a pioneering 40 year career in commercial and residential development. This work included ten apartment complexes and he was one of the first local businessmen to take an interest in the redevelopment of downtown Dothan.
Mr. Blissett was a member of the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church in Dothan and New Life Church in the Dominican Republic. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Mona Merle Blissett; his sons, James (Monica) Blissett and Michael (Angie) Blissett; three grandchildren, Victoria, Madeline and Matthew.
While in Israel last year, Ronald saw a life size Nativity set and upon arriving back in the US, he ordered it. He built a manger on a flat bed trailer and displayed it in his back yard in Dothan. It was only fitting that his final project was to build a house for a King.
The memorial service will be held January 12 at 5:00 PM at the New Life big tent in Sosua. All are invited to come and share a real ?Celebration of Life? for Ronald Blissett. He touched so many lives while in the Dominican Republic. He truly loved the people.
- The above letter has been posted on behalf of Mrs Mona Blissett -
Ronald Gerald Blissett, loving husband, father and grandfather was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, December 19, 2011, in Dothan, Alabama. He was 76.
Ronald Blissett first came to the Dominican Republic in 1956 as a 21 year old working for Pan American World Airways on a missile tracking station in Sabana Del Mar. He fell in love with the country at that time and promised himself he would someday come back. That he did!
In 1985 he and his wife, Mona Merle Blissett, arrived in Sosua and started construction of Trade Winds Condominiums and a personal house in Los Cerros de Sosua. Their youngest son, Michael (Blissett Builders, Inc) and wife, Angie, joined them in 1987 and helped build Trade Winds and then Condos Mona (later named The Palms and now called Sosua?s Best). Ronald built Sun and Surf (now called Wind Chimes) in Cabarete and the development of Caribbean Hills on the El Choc? Road. Their immeasurable love for the Dominican people inspired another resume of work which included the founding, building and funding of the Garden Kids Private School. He also started a dental program with donations from several Dothan dentists distributing toothbrushes and paste to children in Cabarete.
Ronald?s last project in the Dominican Republic was a joint-venture with Sr. Fausto Pimentel, owner and CEO of Banco Santa Cruz converting the hotel One Ocean Place into condominiums now named the Garden Condos.
Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Ronald was President of Blissett Homes, Inc. and spent much time traveling back and forth attending to business in Alabama with oldest son, James and wife Monica. He established Blissett Homes, Inc which was the beginning of a pioneering 40 year career in commercial and residential development. This work included ten apartment complexes and he was one of the first local businessmen to take an interest in the redevelopment of downtown Dothan.
Mr. Blissett was a member of the Pilgrim Home Baptist Church in Dothan and New Life Church in the Dominican Republic. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Mona Merle Blissett; his sons, James (Monica) Blissett and Michael (Angie) Blissett; three grandchildren, Victoria, Madeline and Matthew.
While in Israel last year, Ronald saw a life size Nativity set and upon arriving back in the US, he ordered it. He built a manger on a flat bed trailer and displayed it in his back yard in Dothan. It was only fitting that his final project was to build a house for a King.
The memorial service will be held January 12 at 5:00 PM at the New Life big tent in Sosua. All are invited to come and share a real ?Celebration of Life? for Ronald Blissett. He touched so many lives while in the Dominican Republic. He truly loved the people.
- The above letter has been posted on behalf of Mrs Mona Blissett -