Ron, born June 27, 1944 at Grace Hospital in Vancouver, BC went home from hospital to Strawberry Hill to be doted upon by his three older sisters. He was raised in Abbotsford on the newly minted family farm on Vye Road. He grew up with his growing family amid the forests, ponds and pastures surrounding the “farm” and completed elementary school at Huntingdon and South Poplar. He attended junior MEI and Abbotsford Senior High where he graduated in 1962. Following grade 13 at Abbotsford Senior High and following family tradition, he enrolled and graduated in 1965 from Bethany Bible College in Hepburn, Saskatchewan with a diploma in pastoral counselling and Christian Education. Not ready to be a church pastor, he enrolled at Simon Fraser University in 1966 at a time when “radical” SFU was undergoing turmoil concerning academic freedom. He married Bonita Joan Dewhurst in December 1965. With Bonnie’s dedicated financial and emotional support and in spite of the universities’ strikes, he somehow managed to complete the required coursework and graduated with a PSA Degree in 1969. He worked for Cliff Avenue United Church as a youth worker during his years at university in Burnaby. Faced with a plethora of job choices, he attended social worker training in Vancouver and took his first posting to Dawson Creek, BC as a social worker in November of 1969. In 1975 after rapid on the job learning, he was transferred to Victoria as a social work consultant to develop Community Human Resources and Health Centers under Community Resources Board legislation. Following the demise of CRB’s, he was transferred to Penticton as a District Supervisor. In 1978, he won a promotion to Victoria as director in a policy division and remained in Victoria for the balance of his 33 year career. His assignments as Director of Strategic Planning, Income Assistance, Adoptions, Labour Market Attachment, negotiator for highways privatization and Staff of the Task Force on Public Private Partnership were among the highlights of a satisfying and successful career. Following his retirement from the BC Government in 1998, Ron took up home renovations and construction. He ended this enterprise on his wife’s retirement but continued until his death building and repairing leaded glass windows.
His son Alan James Willems was born in Victoria in 1975. Bonnie and Ron were divorced in 1983. Ron formed a second relationship with Bert McMahon and after living together for many years, they were married in 2010.
He is predeceased by his mother Hilda and his father Clarence. Ron is survived by his son Alan (Erica) and grandchildren, Mitchell James and Riley Mae. He is survived by all his siblings, Arlene, Gloria, Marilyn, Jim, Rick, Jack and Bonnie. As the middle child, he took ironic pleasure that he finally did something first.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC on Saturday, August 19th at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice in Ron’s name.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Margaret Merner
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Barry George Ann and Barry George
Dear Bert, Alan and family,
We just returned from holidays and found the obituary from last week. We are so sorry to read the passing of Ron and did not know about his illness. We send you our condolences and love at this difficult time.
Love, Barry and Ann
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Edith Janzen I was very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. I have many fond memories of time spent with Ron and his family in Abbotsford. Deepest condolences to Bert and Allan and all of Ron’s brothers and sisters.
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Merle & Randy Dulmadge Randy and I were so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. We so enjoyed our twice-a-year pub lunch with Bert and Ron and our last weekend visit was so special. Ron’s pain and suffering are over. He was a kind and gentle person and we are honoured t have known him.
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Karen Wedel White Dear Bert, Alan and family.
I was sorry to hear of Uncle Ron’s passing. My thoughts are with you as you celebrate his life on Saturday and miss him.
Sorry I cannot be there on Saturday. I hope the presence of family and family brings you comfort.
With love,
Karen Wedel White
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Laurie Van Kleek We convey our sincere condolences to Ron’s wife, Bert, and family; especially to Bonnie Brauer, my Library Technician, and her family. You have been, are and will continue to be in our prayers.
May God’s precious love, healing comfort,sweet presence and peace that passes all comprehension be with each of you! May you be forever blessed!
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Susan Young and Ron Cuthbert Dear Burt,
Ron and I are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as we farewell Ron from New Zealand and Fairfield, Victoria. Take good care of yourself.Susan Young and Ron Cuthbert
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Rudy Hiebert Deepest condolences to Ron’s family and friends. His legacy will last for years to come as he will not soon be forgotten. Rest in peace Ron.
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Tiffany Topolinsky Alan, Erika, Mitchell and Riley, we are so sorry for your loss of your father and grandfather. Our thoughts are with you. Treasure your memories and hold then close.
Love Tiffany, Darrell, Blake and Reagan
Big hugs and kisses!!!
I am so sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. He has left far too early. He certainly had an interesting and successful life.
In Gerrie’s retirement album is a note with Ron’s plans for helping him celebrate his retirement from the Ministry in March 1997.
The family appreciated seeing Ron and Bert at Gerrie’s memorial gathering in May 2014.
I send my sincere condolences to Bert and all of Ron’s family.