John "Ron" Ronald Crabtree

Ron was born in Chicago on September 30th, 1929. The only child of John and Hilda Crabtree, Ron moved to Toronto as a baby and spent a brief time living near Castle Loma before moving to—what was then—the rural farmlands of Aurora, Ontario: a place Ron would call home for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Aurora High School, Ron went on to obtain his degree in industrial engineering from the University of Toronto in 1952. He then embarked on a distinguished career at Strachan Henshaw Machinery in Bristol, England; Howard Smith Papermills in Windsor Mills, Quebec; and Murray Printing (later Southam Murray Printing) in Toronto, Ontario.

While at Windsor Mills in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, a co-worker at Canada Paper Co. (a subsidiary of Howard Smith Papermills) noticed that a certain young lady had caught Ron’s eye and introduced him to the love of his life, Marie Denise Allard. They were married in 1956. Ron and Denise honeymooned in Jasper and Banff before returning to Aurora where they would raise their three daughters: Suzanne, Audrey, and Renée.

A devoted career and family man, Ron also found time to volunteer as a Scoutmaster and served as President of the Aurora JayCees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) for many years. Ron loved gardening and was knowledgeable about the many birds that flocked to his well-tended feeders. He loved skiing and served on the board of the Craigleith Ski Club. Ron was a dedicated memo keeper, writing in his diary every day for the past 30+ years. He loved boating and tennis and his many close friendships, too numerous to mention. But most of all, he loved his family, and especially his wife.

Ron is survived by wife, Denise Crabtree, and children: Suzanne Elaine (Robert Judges) and their children—Thomas John (Maria), Scott Ronald (Danielle), and great grandchild Logan; Audrey Jeanne (Jeff Engholm) and her children—Bo, Carlyn, Skylar, and great grandchildren Aurora, Kipp and Sophia; Renée Lynn (Michael Allen) and their children—Cameron, Emily and Caroline.

Though he was a man of many accomplishments, Ron will be remembered mostly for his strong sense of community and the selfless ways he valued the happiness of others. Ron dedicated his life to togetherness and to the creation of memories with those lucky enough to be called family. He was a proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and will be remembered in the hearts and lives of those he lived for. We exist and are one because of you, Papa. Much love and gratitude. Forever yours, your loving wife and legacy.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the wonderful care, support and compassion from the staff on the emergency and palliative care teams at Southlake Hospital.

A celebration of life for Ron will be held Monday, April 28, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Royal Venetian Mansion, 400 Industrial Pkwy S, Aurora, ON L4G 6W8.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, please consider making a donation to Save the Children Canada, The Canadian Red Cross or Southlake Health Foundation in memory of Ron Crabtree.