Huge Turnout Expected for Officer Tarentino's Wake Today, Funeral Tomorrow

MASSACHUSETTS—Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino's wake will take place Thursday and his funeral Friday.

The Auburn Police Department announced that the wake is being held Thursday, May 26, from 2-7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, 10 H Putnam Rd Extension, Charlton. The funeral is being held on Friday, May 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church with burial to follow at Greenville Baptist Church Cemetery in the Rochdale section of Leicester.

Tarentino was shot during a traffic stop early Sunday morning in Auburn.

Jorge Zambrano, 35, Worcester, who was accused of shooting and killing Officer Tarentino, was killed during an extended standoff that took place at an apartment in Oxford, only miles away from Tarentino's shooting.

A memorial fund has been established for the fallen officer, a Tewksbury native and veteran of both the Auburn and Leicester police departments.

The following is Tarentino's obituary via Morrison Morin Funeral Home:

Auburn Patrolman, Ronald Tarentino, Jr., 42, of Leicester, passed away Sunday, May 22 at UMASS Memorial Hospital in Worcester after sustaining life threatening injuries in the line of duty earlier that day.

He leaves his loving wife of 20 years, Tricia S. (Smith) Tarentino, his three sons Private First Class Ronald Tarentino, III with the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C., Spenser R. and Kyle M. Tarentino of Leicester, his mother Sharon M. (James) and father Ronald Sr., Retired Patrolman for the Medford Police (after serving 42 years) of Tewksbury, his sisters Danielle M. Tarentino of Tewksbury, Jennifer T., husband James McMahon, Jr. and son Aaron of Lowell, Caitlin M. Tarentino of Tewksbury and his maternal grandmother Elaine James of Medford. He also leaves behind father and mother-in-law Wayne and Emily Smith of Meriden, CT, sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Carmelo Ticino, Jr. of Higganum, CT and their children Alyssa, Jessica, Brandon and Christian.

Ron was a patrolman for the Auburn Police Dept. for the past 2 years and previously served on the Leicester Police Dept. for 7 years. Born in Melrose and raised in Medford and Tewksbury, he graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1991 and was co-captain of the basketball team. He later attended Middlesex Community College.

He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and beloved friend to all. Ron was living his lifelong dream of being a police officer and serving the people of his community. He was a member of the Mass. Police Association, the Auburn Elks and Mustangs of Mass. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed archery, hunting and fishing.

A funeral service and celebration of Officer Tarentino's life will be held on Friday, May 27th at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 10 H. Putnam Rd. Ext., Charlton. Burial will follow at Greenville Baptist Cemetery, Pleasant St, Rochdale. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, May 26th at St. Joseph’s Church in Charlton from 2 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Officer Ronald Tarentino, Jr. Memorial Fund, c/o Savers Bank, 38 Auburn St., Auburn, MA. 01501.

The family has entrusted the care and funeral arrangements of Officer Tarentino with the Morin Funeral Home, 1131 Main St., Leicester, MA.