Ron Bracken, a longtime renowned Centre County Sports reporter and hall of famer, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the age of 81, leaving his family and loved ones devastated.
Born on November 6, 1943, in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, Ron Bracken touched the lives of many with his remarkable journey as a sports reporter and editor, winning several prestigious awards.
A proud alum of Penn State University, Ron Bracken began his career with Centre Daily Times in 1964, initially as an editorial assistant and later became a sportswriter and eventually a sports editor.
He worked with Centre Daily Times from 1964 to 2008 as a sports reporter, editor, and columnist covering several high school sports as well as Penn State.
Similarly, he spent 41 years covering high school and collegiate wrestling for the Centre Daily Times in State College, Pennsylvania.
Despite not studying journalism in college, Ron Bracken became a symbol of local sports journalism in Pennsylvania.
For his remarkable career as a sports reporter, Bracken was inducted into seven halls of fame, including the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association’s Hall of Fame, Centre County Sports Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, District 6 Wrestling Hall of Fame, Bald Eagle Area Wrestling Hall of Fame, and District 6 Softball Hall of Fame.
Likewise, he also won several awards and honorable titles, including the Excellence for Amateur Wrestling Coverage award, the George Henslip award for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coverage, 11 Keystone Press Awards, two Pennsylvania Managing Editor awards, and two Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
Ron Bracken’s contribution to the sports community and his legacy in journalism will always remain in the hearts of his family, friends, and loved ones.
Furthermore, many of his loved ones are paying tribute to the late Ron and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Ron Bracken Was Preceded in Death By His Longtime Wife, Joan Bracken
In addition to being an exceptional sports reporter, Ron Bracken was a great husband to his wife, Joan Bracken, who preceded him in death.
The couple tied the knot on June 24, 1966, in Cumberland, Maryland, and were happily married for 50 years until Joan’s demise.
Ron Bracken’s wife, Joan Bracken, passed away on July 30, 2016, at an untimely age of 68.
Born on April 18, 1948, in Philipsburg to her late parents, David F. and Tressa K. Lewis, Joan Bracken attended Philipsburg-Osceola High School from which she graduated in 1966.
She spent decades working as an insurance broker with Wayne Kelly Agency and Helmbold & Steward Agency.
Ron and Joan Bracken are survived by their only daughter, Janine K. Barony, son-in-law, Jim, and two granddaughters, Kayla Rae and Kylie Jo Barony, and the entire family.
Janine Barony, in an interview, recalled the memories of her late father and stated:
“From the time I have had any memories, I was Daddy’s girl. I always wanted to be with my dad. And my dad, he grew up with no father in his life and for a man who had no fatherly influence, he had to forge his own way and figure things out on his own. And he absolutely over achieved just like he did with his sports writing.”
Centre Daily
In Case You Didn’t Know
- The late Ron Bracken graduated from Bald Eagle Area School in 1961.
- His family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
