Ronald Thomas Wash

Preferring the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence, he lived an extraordinary life. Ron was born on the Isle of Dogs, Millwall, London - much favoured in history by royalty as a place to exercise their dogs. He was educated at Greenwich Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Suffolk. The School was originally started in the reign of William III and Mary II in 1685, for the sons of seaman and lightermen on the Thames Waterway.

At age 13 Ron built his first tube radio to listen to the Saturday BBC British football or cricket games. At the age of 15 he joined the Royal Navy as a boy air electrical apprentice. He served throughout WW2 on various RN air stations. He notably trained pilots on the operations of cockpit components when he was posted to Trinidad, where one of the key training centres was located.

At war’s end, he married the love of his life, Georgena (Jean) Thomson and together they raised 4 children, Marilyn (Robert), Andrew (Lisa), Philip and Martyn (Lorie). In 1948, Ron was seconded to the Royal Australian Navy and served aboard HMRS ships. He moved on to Jervis Bay’s Naval Air Station Nowra, New South Wales and transferred to the Flinders Naval Electrical Depot. The sign over the door proudly announced, “Good connections – Good results”. He helped train the first R.A.N. air electrical artificers - engineers who are skilled at repairing avionics systems in the field. In 1954 after completing his R.N. service, Ron joined the Royal Canadian Navy at Shearwater and served on VS 880, VS 881, and VS 40. He made several trips on HMCS Bonaventure including crossing the Arctic Circle.

After retirement from the Navy, Ron worked for Nova Scotia Power Corporation as a Scheduling Engineer for ten years. One of his proudest accomplishments was his contribution to the Lingan Power Station. Ron and Jean adopted Canada as their new country, became Canadians and lived a fruitful and exciting life in the Halifax region.

Besides living in Australia, they traveled the world including 3 trips to China, and several to each of the Philippines, Cuba and Switzerland. Ron was an avid woodworking hobbyist and enjoyed making fine teak furniture. He contributed continuously to many charities and in particular those helping and assisting children and Canadian doctors in Africa.

He leaves behind his soulmate Jean of 69 and a half years and their children and grand children: Mathieu (Alicia), Vanessa (Peter) Thomas, Anna, Lennah, Evan (Edith) and Graham (Lina) as well as his great grand children, Jack and Aria. The family would like to warmly thank Ron’s caregiver, Valerie Croft for her extraordinary work and dedication to assisting him during his final year. Tributes in his memory can be sent online to www.mercyships.ca Private interment of his ashes and a celebration of his life will be held at later date.