Shepherd, The Right Reverend Ronald Francis died on October 24th, 2012 in Victoria. Bishop Ron was born July 15th 1926 also in Victoria. Survived by his loving wife Ann, and their six children Mary, Jeremy, Christopher, Susie, Tim and Peter; and eight grandchildren.

Ron faithfully served the Anglican Communion his whole life. He was ordained at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London in 1953 and served in the parish of St. Stephen’s Rochester Row. In Canada he served as parish priest in Hamilton and Winnipeg; he was the dean of the Anglican diocese in Edmonton and in 1969 was named dean of Montreal for a period of 14 years. After serving the parish of St. Matthias, Victoria, in 1984 he was elected the 10th bishop of the diocese of British Columbia. Upon retirement Ron and Ann served the Episcopalian mission in Borrego Springs, California until 2001.

A sharp wit, exceptional intellect, and a lover of the written word, Ron was also an avid gardener. For many years Ann and Ron enjoyed visits from friends and family from around the world on their beloved Easter Hill home on Salt Spring Island.

Funeral services will be held on November 3rd, 2012 at 10:00 am at Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. Archbishop David Crawley, Bishop James Cowan and Dean Logan McMenamie will be officiating. Reception to follow. Interment on Salt Spring Island. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Primate’s World Relief Fund, 80 Hayden Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2. Condolences may be offered below.

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  • Lisbeth Eyles-foley

    Dear Ann and family . I was so sad to hear about Reverend Shepherd’s passing. Our family were parishioners at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal.. He married my husband and I, christened my eldest son and buried my father. One of my fondest memories was in 1976 when Queen Elizabeth attended a service at the cathedral. My father had been released from hospital to attend the service. Reverend Shepherd had been to the hospital to visit him and prayed for him. Reverend Shepherd was walking down the aisle to escort the queen to the front of the church when he walked past my father, he was very surprised to see him and stopped and came back to greet my father. My dad thought it was so great that Reverend Shepherd put him before the queen. He told that story for years. Reverend Shepherd was an amazing person and minister. We missed him terribly when your family moved to B C . My condolences to you and your family and all those who knew and loved him. Sincerely Lisbeth

  • David and Jean Warner

    Dear Annie,
    What a privilege it was to share lodgings with you and Ronald in London at the start of both our ministries. I feel I learnt a lot from him and it was so good to renew old friendships when you were so hospitable to us a few years ago in Vancouver Island. We do thank God for him and your friendship. God bless you in what must be a painful time of your life. We have been praying regularly for you both on Fridays. We only heard today from Naomi Abbott about Ronald’s death.
    Every blessing as you readjust. Love from
    Jean and David Warner

  • Brian and Ida Marie Threadkell

    We smile when we remember Ron because he made being Anglican fun! . He also made a big impression on our young friend when he called her to personally say thank you for playing the bassoon in church. A small thing but so important. You were both so welcoming to us and we pray that all that bread you cast upon the waters will return to comfort you.

  • Nora Wright

    Dear Ann,
    I will remember his wonderful sense of humour and the laughs we shared here on Salt Spring Island, my condonences to you and your family, I am sending you a big hug,
    Nora

  • Peter Olsen

    Dear Ann, We are so sorry for your loss. My dad wanted me to let you know how much he cherishes his boyhood memories with Ron, and a dear friendship that spanned a lifetime. How much Ron will be missed. It was such a pleasure to meet you both at Dad’s 80th.

  • Gregg Perry

    Jennifer and I send our condolences to you and your whole family. We fondly remember Bishop Ron’s visits to Camp Columbia and the loving and warm tone of his voice. He was a great Camp and youth supporter and the Camp thrived in his time. You are in our daily prayer.

  • Stephen and Dariel Bateman

    Dear Ann, Mary, Jeremy, Kit, Susie, Tim and Peter,
    It seems just right to be sending this note to you on All Saints Day as Ron/your dad has joined that Great Communion of Saints. Ann – we have so loved being your friends since Edmonton days, loved babysitting all the duffers, having Ron come back to Edmonton to marry us, visiting with you in such rectory elegance in Montreal and then from time to time here in Calgary and Victoria. Your inclusion of my mum in your lives and in the cathedral were so appreciated by her. And Ron was truly our gracious, kind, witty and so bright mentor as we came into adulthood. We send much love to all of you, and know that your collective storytelling in these days will be filled with much laughter, and even a few tears. Dariel and Stephen

  • Maggie Norman

    I came to Montreal alone as a young women in 1975. I had only attended the French noon hour Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral for a couple of weeks when Ronald welcomed me and asked if I would be willing to help. Soon afterwards, I was leading the prayers and reading in French. Thus started my Lay Ministry in Canada, thanks to Ronald. By the grace of God, it has continued at St. Paul’s Bloor Street in Toronto where I have served as a Church warden and in many other roles. Thank you Ronald for having the confidence in me. I learned so much from you. My sympathy to you, Ann in your loss.

  • Rose Lailey

    Ron was in the hospial with my husband Bill until they moved him to the jubilee hospital.Bill passed away july 10th .we both thought Ron was a wonderful person and i send you and your family my condolences.Rose Lailey

  • Maureen O'Brien

    Please accept my condolences on the passing of your husband and father. I remember the first days at Meadowbrook when both Ann and Ron volunteered on a regular basis. I remember Ron to be a very charming and funny man. He certainly made an impression on me.

  • Richard and Dawn Braithwaite

    To the Shepherd Family,
    Richard and I send our deepest sympathies for your loss. Ron will be greatly missed by many.
    As my sponsoring Bishop, he wholeheartedly exemplified his calling as pastor to the pastors. I will always cherish his mentorship, and his surprise visits even after his retirement.
    Richard reminded me of the time we all met in Nanaimo at the Dorchester Hotel for our Christmas check-in, me with a newly broken arm, you stranded in the snow storm.
    Know you are held gently in our thoughts and prayers, Dawn and Richard.

  • John and Joan Bothwell

    Ann we were at a Bishops luch last week ans we were asking whether any one had news of you ans someone said Ron had not been well and that you had moved again and then we read Ron’s obituary in the globe and we are so sorry and wanted you to know we will be thinking of you all in the next weeks. We hope you are o.k. Yourself .we remember our visit with you and the bees on Sault Spring and also our times at Lambeth….a long time ago Love John and Joan Bothwell

  • David & Lynn Pate

    Dear Ann,
    Sorry to hear of Ron’s death. He has had a long and fruitful ministry with you at his side. We remember with fondness walking home from the All Saints’ rectory wheeling an empty but beautiful, huge, English pram which you give us for the expected arrival of our first child in 1965 (Christopher now 47). Several people looked in the carriage and then at us with gentle sadness. It was used, as it was for you children, for an additional four kids.

    Ron shared in our wedding at St. Luke’s which was another story you may remember. We are grateful for his particiapation.

    All our best to you and your family. David & Lynn

  • John Beckwith

    I’m glad to see him referred to as “Bishop Ron” in the notice. It was as Ron that I knew him, a valued friend since our college days, over sixty years ago. We went our separate ways but respected and took an interest in each other’s doings always. How many Victorians still recall him as the adroit teen-aged milk-delivery driver, & admire as I do his pan-Canadian services to his Church? Kathleen and I will always treasure our recollection of visiting him and Ann in their retirement home in January of this year. Such a warm & lively human being. We send our sympathies to Ann & the family. Sincerely, JB.

  • Clive Balfour

    Ann, you know how important Ron is to me – probably the most important influence in my life. As my rector in Winnipeg he was responsible for his layreader becoming a worker-priest and he was my Bishop after I retired to Victoria and served here. I join you and the family in some small way in missing him, my prayers are with you.

  • Fr Bill Bothwell

    My late wife, Lois, and I first knew Fr Ron when he was curate at St Stephen’s, Rochester Row and I was lecturing at St Augustine’s in Canterbury. When I left Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal to return to Trinity College I had the privilege of nominating Ron to Bishop McGuire as a possible successor as Dean of Montreal and am among those who are grateful for his work there during difficult years. I shall remember Bishop Shepherd and his family at the altar here in Orangeville ON. In Christo Domino nostro.
    WILLIAM BOTHWELL.

  • robert harvey

    Betsy and I will remember Ronald

  • Jan and Cam Bright

    To the Shepherd Family
    Father Shepherd married my husband and me in All Saints Church, Winnipeg in March of 1961. Primarily because of budget restraints, our wedding was very small, the reception was held in the parish hall and there was to be no honeymoon. But on our wall unit there is a small, framed photo of us signing the register in the vestry. While we both sit, pen in hand, Father Shepherd is looking over us with that beatific smile of his. He made us feel important. He made us feel loved. When someone dies, he/she is remembered by family and friends. Father Shepherd will not only be remembered by his kin but by the many, many couples with photos of him in albums and frames throughout the land. He will always be remembered.

    Jan and Cam Bright
    Burlington, Ontario

  • Marion Rogers (nee Cowley)

    Dear Ann – I first met Ron when he and Michael Creel took my sister Liz on their rounds for Shepherd’s Dairy in Victoria when they were all students at U Vic.(I was about 12!) Then he became Rector at St.Matthias where my parents attended and he was then gracious enough to come over to take Mum’s funeral there in 1995.
    He was a wonderful man – keen sense of humour, wise and humble and so perfectly fitted for his role in Christ’s service.
    My great sympathy to you and the family on his loss.My own husband died last November after three years in care so I know what you have gone and are going through.Blessings – Marion

  • Joanna & Anthony Barrett

    Dear Ann and Family
    We were so sorry to read Ron’s obituary this morning. We have aften spoken of you wondering how you were liking your place in Victoria. Ron was a great guy but you know that. Anthony remembers how Ron liked to tell stories whist having his hair cut, he was never at a loss for words.
    We also remember the police coming into the shop looking for you, you had been there a couple of hours and it appeard your car was parked outside the liquer store, locked with the engine still on. You sent him off with spare keys, We did laugh when he left.
    We hope you are living somewhere nice where they look after you well. It would be nice to see you again one day, maybe you will get over to the Isalnd one day.
    Love to you all
    Joanna and Anthony

  • Brian Webb

    Dear Ann – I was sorry to read this morning of the death of Bishop Ron in Victoria. I first met him in Winnipeg in the early 1960s where he was at All Saints’ and I was at St John’s College. A few years later we connected again when I came to Montreal to work and Ron was the Dean at the Cathedral. He was an incredible man at many levels and he will be missed! My sincere sympathy to you and your family, may God bless Ron, and, as we say in French – Courage!

    Brian Webb

  • John and Joan Bothwell

    Ann, We were at a retired Bishop’s lunch just last Tuesday and we were asking about you and we’re very sorry to hear Ron had not been well and that you had moved again. We saw Ron’s obituary this a.m. And will be thinking of you all. We remember our visit with you both…and the bees!!! On Salt Spring Island and also our days at Lambeth. Hope you are hanging in o.k.,this growing old is not for the faint hearted. We send love and prayers. John and Joan Bothwell

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