Ronald E. Hermance Jr.

Ronald E. Hermance Jr. is a CEO of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.(HCBK) 

Prior to joining Hudson City, Mr. Hermance served as senior vice president of Southold Savings Bank, departing during the bank’s merger with North Fork Bancorp in the summer of 1988. he joined Hudson City as its chief operating officer and was promoted to CEO in 2002. He gained the title of bank chairman in 2005.

“Hudson City’s growth under Ron led to inclusion of the bank in the S&P 500 index in 2007,” according to the funeral home. “He was the recipient of many awards [including] Mad Money’s “George Bailey Banker of the Year” from Jim Cramer in 2008, and Best Managed Bank of 2007 by Forbes Magazine.”

A native of Western, N.Y., Mr. Hermance graduated from Notre Dame High School in Batavia and Saint John Fisher College in Rochester, where he served on the board of directors and received the Business Excellence in Management Award in 2007. He began his banking career in Western New York with Bankers Trust Company, then Goldome in Buffalo.

Mr. Hermance is survived by his wife Kris Brown Hermance, daughter Emily (Nicholas) Spahr, son Ronald (Constance) Hermance and his two grandchildren, Charlotte Spahr and Alexander Hermance. He is also survived by his sister Mary Ketchum.

“Ron will be remembered by his family for his kindness, generosity, and sense of humor, but, above all else, his love of and his deep devotion to his family,” according to the funeral home. “His family and friends will also remember his love of golf and will carry on the tradition of his unwavering loyalty to the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and New York Yankees. There was never a day in his life where he was not there for his family and friends, offering support, advice and unconditional love.”

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Feeney Funeral Home at 232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church at 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations in Mr. Hermance’s memory to St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450; Valley Hospital, 223 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood NJ 07450; Notre Dame High School, 73 Union Street, Batavia, NY 14020; or St. John Fisher College, 3690 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618.