With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Ronald Forth, beloved husband of the late June Forth and devoted father to Brad (wife, Deanna), Craig, and Jenny. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Colton, Zack, Lucy, Jordan, and Sydney. He is also survived by his sister, Suzy (husband, Brian), as well as his nieces and nephews.
Ron was born in Toronto to John and Marjorie during the Great Depression. The eldest of five children, he took on responsibility early and worked a wide assortment of jobs to help support the family. He sold newspapers on the corner of Yonge and Bloor even including the day WWII was declared. He delivered groceries by bike and worked in an asbestos puppet factory – it’s a miracle he lived to 94! He met the love of his life, June, at a church dance when they were both 17. After high school, June moved to Winnipeg, and Ron was crushed. They stayed in touch, however, and after nearly two years apart, he left McMaster University, where he had earned a football scholarship, and transferred to the University of Manitoba to be with her.
Ron and June were married in 1953. He completed his degree in Maths and Physics and briefly worked as an actuary at Great-West Life before being recruited into U of M’s medical school. After completing medical school, Ron and June moved to Rochester, Minnesota where Ron did his postgraduate studies in Cardiology and joined the medical staff at the Mayo Clinic. In Rochester, they started their family, welcoming their two sons, Brad and Craig. They also made lifelong friendships.
In 1968, the family moved to Victoria, BC, where Ron became the second cardiologist on Vancouver Island and helped establish the Island’s first cardiac cath lab. Victoria became the place where he and June welcomed their daughter, Jenny, raised their family and built a full life with meaningful ties to the community.
Ron never stopped learning and challenging himself. He was an adventurer who found great joy in being active and outdoors, often taking the family on trips such as the West Coast Trail, Byron Lakes, hiking through the Rockies and windsurfing at Nitinat Lake. Whistler became his second home, and he continued skiing there well into his 80’s, proudly joining a weekly, experts-only ski school and skiing over 65 days a year.
In his final years, Ron stayed active in whatever ways he could. When his eyesight made reading difficult, he turned to Rom-Coms, which he loved because he was a true romantic at heart. Determined to keep moving, he danced to ABBA in his kitchen and walked along the beach daily with his walking poles. He was up at the crack of dawn to check his stocks and the news. At 94, when told he might need to give up his driver’s licence, he called it ageist, took driving lessons, and passed his road test. He was a man of intellect, optimism and fierce determination and an inspiration for aging with purpose and spirit.
He will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Friday, September 19th at 2:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
This obituary is the property of the “Forth” family and may not be reproduced, distributed, or altered in any way without prior written consent.
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David Reid
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Dick Meeres Dear Jenny, Craig, Brad and families,
Condolences on the loss of your father, Ron.
I first met your father in the early 1980s, through our girls’ figure skating with Jenny.
Downhill skiing at Whistler with Ron & June became a marvellous annual activity. Ron was an excellent skier and he knew every mountain and lift – we skied 20,000 vertical feet or more, daily, for 3-4 weeks each winter along with Ron and June’s friend, Art VanStaalduinen.
Those three never stopped extolling the sport of windsurfing at Nitinat Lake and drew me into that sport in the summer of 1989. The four of us spent the next 20+ years camping there every summer and skiing every winter. Those were the most delightful years of my life.Sadly, no one lives forever. You must know that your father, throughout his career, left a significant mark and will be greatly missed.
Lots of love, Dick Meeres
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Dale Grace Poeckert My condolences to the family and friends of Dr Ron Forth. I worked alongside Dr Forth in cardiology in the eighties, nineties when he first arrived and found him clever, with a wonderful sense of humour,very pleasant and an interesting intelligent man to work with on the hospital wards/CCU areas. We all loved Dr. Ron’s fascinating dramatic stories about skiing and passion about surfboarding with some near hit frightening stories, especially about June’s near escape way out on Nintinat Lake. Strong funnel winds were often present which may have created currents of a rip- tide nature. June’s escape with the aid of fellow surfers and Ron was a blessing. Retired staff enjoyed working wth him because we learned so much with his special easy going relaxed personality. His choice of a move to Victoria created a fortunate chance for all of us to work with such a dedicated cardiology /vascular surgeon! Loving thoughts to all.
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Christy Collis Ronald’s inimitable voice boomed around so many fun times: Ronald yelling “hello girls” at us from the chairlift, Ronald cheering when I found his contact lens in his ski goggle, Ronald driving us here and there and informing us that there was No Goddam Wind. He always had the latest skis, he loved those 80s ones with the red knobs on the tips. He was funny and interested and constant. And he raised an amazing daughter. For all of that I thank him and salute his life.
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John Crawford Brad, Craig
I remember your dad as a strong advocate for your education. All my interactions with him were positive and friendly but it was always clear that your well being was paramount. And,of course, he was immensely proud of your accomplishments – as he should have been. It was a privilege to have you both in my classroom.
Kindest regards
John Crawford
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Jennifer Boutilier I was a patient of Dr. Forth’s in the 1980’s.I was a pediatric patient, and to this day I remember how kind and caring he was- he always seemed to genuinely care about his patients beyond their cardiac issues. I remember him showing up to emerg in his sweats after a run to check on me- I always considered myself lucky he was my cardiologist. My condolences to his family.
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Claire Cross Dear Brad, Craig, Jenny and family. I was a nurse in CCU and had the pleasure of working with your Dad for many years. He was a wonderful cardiologist but I will remember him for being a truly kind, thoughtful and gentle man who adored his family and was so proud of each and every one of you. As you were growing up he’d share funny stories about all of you. I bumped into him after your Mom had passed and I know he struggled abit but that determination you spoke of, never failed. He taught me a lot about living life while we have it. I’m so sorry for your loss. I choose to believe he and your Mom are together. I hope it brings some comfort. Claire
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Derek Little Condolences to the entire family. What an interesting and full life he led. It was amazing how he used that deep voice of his to recount such amazing stories. I remember sitting around the giant wood dining table in Alpine Meadows probably after a ski day and a big lasagna dinner, engrossed by his stories. Truly some great memories.
You’re all in our thoughts. Lots of love to you at this time.
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John McCracken A chairlift ride with Ron was never boring. I loved him and he lived a long rich life. May he find deep powder and strong winds in the afterlife. All the best to the family.
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Anna-Maria Laughlin A wonderful mentor & cardiologist! He sadly leaves us but lived his life amazingly! On behalf of some of us “older” ER Nurses I can honestly say he was a great mentor & a kind & gentle man. My thoughts are with his family. He will be greatly missed.
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Blair ANDERSON My condolences to the family – what a great life he had!
Wonderful kind man , wonderful doctor that gave so much and took so little . God bless your soul and rest in peace