Ronald Hadwen Macdonald Stewart

After some years of living with diabetes and bouts of kidney failure, Ron passed away peacefully at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on April 29, 2025.

Ron was born in Duncan on August 16, 1944, to Suzanne Hadwen and Alan Macdonald Stewart. His Stewart grandparents and great-grandparents were settlers in Comox in the 1880s, while his Hadwen grandparents settled in the Cowichan Valley in the same years. Ron was truly a citizen of the Island.  

Ron was predeceased by his brother Gay Stewart on March 12, 2025, and sister-in-law Helma Stewart in 2022. He is survived by his two children, Elizabeth Stewart (Mac Keats) of Calgary and Graeme Stewart (Rachel Hooton) of Victoria, his niece Karyn Stewart (Dave Fullerton) and their daughter Rachel Fullerton of Victoria, and his nephew Andrew Stewart and Andrew’s children Scarlett Rose, Raven Rosemary, and Dennae Stewart and his stepson Cohen Pinkoski, all of Toronto. Ron will be remembered by his cousins Howard (Mary Jane), Corrine, and David (Linda) Stewart, and by his sisters-in-law Sheila Stewart and Bonnie Dorgan.

Ron spent his early years with his family in Port Alberni where he attended elementary school. The family’s annual summer holidays at Sproat Lake left him with special happy memories. The family returned to Duncan when Alan and Suzanne took responsibility for the operation of the Hadwen family holly farm, “Amblecote”, where they lived and worked for over five decades. Ron completed his high school education at Cowichan High, followed by one year of working and sailing in distant waters with the Norwegian Merchant Navy. Following that adventure, which gave him a life-long interest in travel, Ron obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University, Bellingham. Thereafter he attended the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, where he completed a law degree. While at law school, he met Jackie Dorgan of Meyronne, Saskatchewan, whom he married in 1974 in Rome, Italy. After 16 years they separated but remained friends throughout Ron’s life.

Apart from his work, Ron’s interests were wide-ranging. He was a voracious reader, especially of newspapers and historical biographies, an enthusiastic hiker, jogger, swimmer, sailor, and traveler. He enjoyed exploring Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, the Mainland, the Prairies, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. Ron particularly appreciated his travels in Greece, Italy, and Israel. His musical tastes spanned many genres, from opera to jazz to classical and country.  

A man of wit, with a quirky sense of humour, Ron’s laughter, kindness, and generosity touched many. He embraced his life with curiosity and good humour, enjoyed the company of friends and family, and considered his life to be a good one.

His greatest pleasure was spending time with his children, whom he adored and loved unconditionally. His best memories in later life were made during the five trips he took with Elizabeth and Graeme to the Big Island, Hawaii.

Thank you to the staff at Amica Douglas House for the care, friendship, and daily support you gave Ron during his final years. Thank you as well to the professional staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital who gave Ron exceptional care during his intermittent hospitalizations over the last few years.

Please join us for a celebration of Ron’s life on Saturday May 17, 2025, at 2:00pm, at the Maple Bay Yacht Club, 6337 Genoa Bay Rd, Duncan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Diabetes Canada.

Condolences and shared memories may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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