Passed away peacefully at home on June 25th, 2019 three weeks into his 88th year. Ron was married to Moira (O’Connor), for 50 years, who predeceased him in 2011. Devoted father to Michelle, Darcy (Colleen), Janine (John), Desmond (Danielle), Morgan (Dina), Denise (Paulo) and Larry (Stacey). Adored Papa to Shannon, Rebecca (Collin), Jonathan, Devin, Elizabeth, Kelly, Aidan, Liam, Juliette, Declan, Gabriel, Isabella, Maximo, Madeline, Emma, Josephine, Keira, Ava, Burkleigh, Cassidy and Mateo. Loved brother to Nora (late Ken), Marlene (Bob), Erwin (Shirley), Thelma (late Mike), predeceased by Doreen (late Joe), Audrey (late Jack), Len, Bob (Anne), Earl (late Mary). Ron is predeceased by Moira’s siblings Marguerite, George, Morgan, Helen, Terry (late Colleen), Gerri, Maurice (Marilyn) and is survived by Patricia and Denis (Ursula). Ron will be missed by over 50 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, as well as countless cousins.
Ron was raised in Wingham and Hanover in a large farm family. He went to Toronto’s Teachers College in 1957 and taught his first year in a one room school house north of Parry Sound. He then moved to Mississauga where he met his future wife Moira, who taught in the same school. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from McMaster University and his Masters of Education from University of Toronto all through night school, while being a principal and father of a young family. He went on to become a Superintendent in the Niagara region and later at the Durham Catholic District School Board where he retired in 1991. For 35 years, he played a leadership role, both locally and provincially in his uncompromising dedication to excellence in Catholic education. He spent the first few years of his retirement as the owner/keeper of the Victoria Inn, in Gores Landing.
Ron was a consummate teacher, and never missed an opportunity for a lesson on how to fix anything that was broken - a washing machine, a lawnmower, an Excel spreadsheet formula or sentence structure. He loved puzzles, words, the stock market, cotter pins, his tomato and onion garden and hugs from his 21 grandchildren. He was a devoted member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Oshawa and participated in a number of their ministries and he was a long-standing member of the Board of Directors’ for the Oshawa Credit Union. Ron will be remembered for his tremendous work ethic, strategic thinking and sharp mind. Ron loved to laugh and appreciated a quick wit, especially Moira’s. He was happiest when surrounded by the laughter of his large and loving family.
Special thanks to all of Ron’s caregivers over the last 8 years, but especially Marilou Garcia for her ongoing care, compassion and friendship.
Visitation to be held at Oshawa Funeral Home at 847 King St W, Oshawa on July 2 from 1-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 3 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 1100 Mary St N, Oshawa. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Durham Catholic Children’s Foundation at https://www.durhamcatholicfoundation.ca/en/donate-now.aspx would be appreciated. Please feel free to share any memories and/or condolences with the family by clicking the "Add a Memory" link below.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18