Ron passed away in Kamloops on Friday, December 1.  He was predeceased by his father, Roy and his mother, Martha.  He leaves behind his wife, Jeanette, his three sons, Rayn, Derek (Josie) and Court (Danette) sister, Lois and brother, Brian (Claire).

Born in Camrose, Alberta, Ron was the apple of his father Roy’s eye and his mother Martha’s number one son.  A child of the fifties, he played hard but had to work hard too.  He often told the story of coming home from school to straighten nails that he and his dad collected from discarded railway ties – nails his dad used to build their house.  Money wasn’t plentiful but Ron’s childhood was happy.

The family moved to Grande Prairie when Ron was in his teens. Ron was athletic, musical and mechanically inclined. He played guitar in a local band (The Sneakers), was on the basketball team, participated in ski jumping competitions and was passionate about cars and motorcycles.

After graduation, Ron worked for NCR and Safeway.  He found his niche when he was hired by Beaver Lumber and moved to Forestburg.  A hands on kind of guy, Ron quickly became Manager. During this time, Ron met and married his first wife and adopted her son (Derek).

In the mid-seventies, Ron was transferred to High Level, Alberta where his two boys (Rayn and Court) were born. Life in Northern Alberta suited Ron.  Active in the community he was a member of the volunteer fire department and chairman of the Alberta Housing Authority. He loved the outdoors – quading, snowmobiling, fishing and camping. 

It was in High Level that Ron started his own business.  He opened Superwood – a Home Hardware Building Centre and later a carwash.

In 1985 Ron met his second wife, Jeanette.  Born on the same day, they were a perfect match.  Married in 1992, they lived happily in High Level until 1997.  Then a move to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island to be closer to Ron’s Mom and Dad.

A talented woodworker, Ron spent hours in his workshop building things.  He picked up the odd job to keep busy but found he wasn’t ready to retire and so in 2004 bought the Westsyde Home Hardware store in Kamloops and another adventure began.

Kamloops was a great fit for Ron. He loved the hardware business, his experience and knowledge was phenomenal.  He loved taking the RV to camp, jumping on the rzr (quad) to explore, going for a drive and the two Alaska cruises he and Jeanette went on.

Ron was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007 but never complained, he accepted.  Ron’s only concern was for Jeanette and his family.  Ron was a kind and gentle man.  He had a quick wit and wicked sense of humour.  He loved a drink, a cigarette and a good story. He especially loved all three when sitting around the campfire.

There will be no service as per his wishes but a celebration of life is planned for later in the new year.

Special thanks for the loving care given to Ron by Dr. Swart and to all the nurses, aides and volunteers at hospice.