Ronald Bryant

He was born in Tenterden, Kent, England, in 1929 on the kitchen floor while his dad rode a bicycle looking for the midwife.

Ron was baptized in Rolvenden by the priest who would later become the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1939, World War II had him evacuated to Wales while his parents contributed to the war effort. He was allowed to return home in 1941 after his sister was killed. Upon return, as he was walking to school, his schoolhouse was blown-up. After the war, he joined the RAF and maintained aircraft for several years. In civilian life, he worked at A.J. Walters, Gatwick Airport, where he met Andrea. He saw Andrea getting out of the family Jaguar and said, “I will marry that woman” at first glance.

When Andrea had to return to Montreal with her parents, Ron sold his motorcycle and followed. He moved to Montreal West on Christmas Eve, stayed at the YMCA on Drummond Street and looked for his first job. Shortly after, he and Andrea married and had their children, Carolyn, Malcolm and Christopher.

Ron and Andrea were grandparents to seven grandchildren. Ainslie and Ailise, Nigel and Rhiannon, Anouk, Liam and Renton.

Ron was an avid train enthusiast. He had a substantial collection of models, artifacts, and books on the subject, and he had a large circle of like-minded friends.

After he was no longer road legal, he moved to Manoir Beaconsfield, an assisted living establishment where he was socially active and was extremely well cared for.

He was retired for almost 30 years. Andrea predeceased him in 2016 and both their ashes will be spread where they met in England.

He will be very missed.