Ronald Charles Bentley passed from this world on September 12, 2026 after a courageous three-month battle with cancer. He has joined Agnes, his beloved wife, who preceded him on August 10, 2026.
Ron lived all his 96 years in Victoria, his life ending near where it began at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
Ron is grieved by his daughter Lesley, son Craig and his wife Michelle (nee Bolton), grandson Kyle and his wife Kelsey, granddaughter Cara and her husband Elliott, great-grandchildren Edwin, Neve and Simon, and many other family members.
Born on February 28th, 1930, Ron was the fourth son of Ernest and Ida May Bentley. Ron was predeceased by his three brothers Raymond, Owen, and then Norman (‘Bun’).
In his youth, Ron attended Bank Street and Oaklands Elementary schools and finished his high school years at Victoria High. He was active in soccer, basketball, and track and field, and played in the Intermediate A and B basketball leagues. He had a short stint in the Sea Cadets, perhaps in part to honour his Father who suffered from a life-long wound suffered at Vimy Ridge, and his brother Owen who was killed in May 1941 when his troop ship was torpedoed in the North Atlantic.
Ron met the love of his long life, Agnes Robertson, in 1949 while building a speedboat with Agnes’ brother George. They were married at St Andrews Presbyterian Church on May 27th, 1950, shortly after Agnes’s 21st birthday. Ron and Agnes were married for almost 77 years. He would often state that “Love and Loyalty” were the key!
Ron started his life of service to the City of Victoria as a Firefighter with the Victoria Fire Department. This lasted only a year, when he was laid off due to the closure of his firehall. His persistence with the Fire Chief to get hired back led him to the Victoria Police Department, where he was hired as a constable in January 1953.
Ron was an exemplary police officer, dedicating over 30 years to the force. As he rose through the ranks, he worked in many divisions, from Traffic, Patrol, and Detectives, finally ending his career as the Inspector of the Traffic Division. Ron was a proud member of the Drill Squad and the Police Bike Squad, riding his loved Harley motorcycle.
Ron was the founder and first Field Commander of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (July 1977 – Dec 1982). He was also the first municipal police officer to be Aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, serving for five years.
In his nonworking time, Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent many hours keeping an immaculate yard and car (there were many of these over the years!).
Ron became a father in 1956 with the arrival of daughter Lesley, followed in 1959 by the arrival of son Craig. In 1989 he became a grandfather to Kyle, then to Cara in 1991, then a great-grandfather starting in 2022.
Ron retired from the Victoria City Police in June 1983. On his retirement, he was honored for his outstanding leadership by the officers who served under him with a model of his beloved Harley motorcycle. He was also given a copy of the “Policeman’s Lament”, which he often quoted.
After retirement, Ron put away his hunting and fishing gear and took up golf. Ron loved golf, especially since he could share the game and enjoyment with Agnes. They traveled on several cruises. Ron loved Rome, especially the Basilica and seeing some of the wonders of the past. They also made trips to Reno and Las Vegas. Agnes was always the lucky one! Retirement also gave him more time to spend with Lesley and her horses, and the yearly visits from Craig and family from wherever the military had posted them.
Ron will be lovingly remembered by all the lives he touched.
His family is extremely grateful to the entire Health Care Team of the Royal Jubilee Hospital and Hospice who gave such outstanding and loving care to both Ron and Agnes and enabled them to remain together during the last months of their lives.
No public memorial service is planned. Anyone wishing to honor Ron’s memory is encouraged to donate to the RJH Hospice in his name.
You can visit Agnes’ obituary here.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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