Former Tribune-Review business, real estate writer Ron DaParma 'could cover anything'

Ronald L. “Ron” DaParma, a longtime business editor and business writer for newspapers in McKeesport, Greensburg and Pittsburgh, had the ability to cover a broad spectrum of topics, whether it was real estate, Pittsburgh’s banking behemoths, small business, or steel mill operations and the steelworkers who labored in those factories.

“He was multi-talented. He would cover anything. He was one who had to wear many hats and wore all of them really well,” said Rick Stouffer of Irwin, a co-worker at the Tribune-Review in Greensburg and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

DaParma, age 78, of White Oak, died Friday, June 20, 2025, at UPMC Shadyside hospital in Pittsburgh.

“Ron was part of a generation of journalists who helped build the reputation of this newsroom through hard work, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose,” said TribLive Executive Editor Luis Fabregas.

“We’re grateful for his contributions and extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” Fabregas said.

Stouffer recalled that if he ever had a real estate question when he was working on a story, he would ask DaParma.

“I knew Ron would know who to talk to and would set it up,” Stouffer said.

Not only was DaParma was helpful on the job, but Stouffer said that he moved back to the area from Buffalo, N.Y., DaParma made a couple of calls to help him find a house.

DaParma was born in Pittsburgh, the son of the late Dr. Frank L. DaParma and Gertrude O. Loftis. He was raised in Point Breeze. He grew up surrounded by close family and benefited greatly from the love and support from a large group of aunts and uncles, said his son, Michael DaParma of Bethel Park.

After graduating from Saint Vincent Preparatory School near Latrobe in 1964, he went to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, graduating in 1968. From his time at Duquesne, he took with him a lifelong passion for journalism and a love of Duquesne Dukes basketball. DaParma was a student at Duquesne during the heyday of Duquesne basketball, when the Dukes were the basketball power in Pittsburgh.

“My dad really loved sports of all kinds” and played basketball as an adult, Michael DaParma said.

His son recalled that his father had season tickets to the Pittsburgh Steelers and they would go to Steelers games, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins games.

While he was a news reporter, Michael DaParma said his father had hoped to become a sports writer. Although he wasn’t a full-time sports writer, he did get to cover a U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. An avid golfer, DaParma even got to play there once.

DaParma began his journalism career as a reporter at the McKeesport Daily News, when the city and the steel industry in the Mon Valley were still thriving. He became a copy editor and was promoted to business editor at the Daily News.

At the Tribune-Review, he was a business and real estate writer in Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

“Ron knew everybody in the real estate industry,” Stouffer said.

When it came time to go on vacation, the family liked to go to Ocean City, N.J., his son said. They also enjoyed trips to DisneyWorld in Orlando.

After he retired in 2009, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a non-aggressive form of cancer, Michael DaParma said.

“He was a fighter,” Michael DaParma said.

In addition to his son, he also is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Jane Hlatt DaParma; and two grandchildren.

Friends will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Angela Merici Church, 2701 Kelly St., White Oak. Entombment will follow.