Ron passed away in Invermere on October 4th, 2021 surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Ron was born in Kimberley, BC and moved with his parents and sisters to Invermere shortly thereafter where he learned to hunt and fish with his grandfather and father. His father often reminisced about watching young Ron carrying large ling home from the lake during the winter months.

Ron showed a passion and talent for sports, excelling at baseball, fastball, slow-pitch, rugby, and curling, where he could be highly competitive, or jovial and inclusive depending on the level of competition. Ron enjoyed passing on his skills, coaching hockey and baseball. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially his Chicago Cubs and LA Raiders in which he seemed to have an encyclopedic memory of player and team statistics.

Ron was a hard worker, employed for many years as Planerman at Radium Sawmill, as well at the Gypsum Mine, BC Liquor Store, Byers Transport, and as a heavy equipment operator at the Windermere Landfill. Ron was never one to be unemployed even during shutdowns or strikes.

Ron was a proud member of the Invermere Fire Department for many years, fighting many fires, including two at the Invermere Hotel and one at the National Park Hotel in Radium, at that time vested in saving the valley’s beloved watering holes.

Never feeling cheated, Ron was a model of grace and acceptance, over the last few years, with circumstances beyond his control.

Ron is survived by his loving and devoted wife Leslie (nee Paprocke), their son Eddie, grandson Koehyn, sisters Wynanne (Tim), Deb (Kurt), brother Bob (Lisa), mother-in-law Lorna, sister-in-law Linda (Pat), brother-in-law David (Julie), good friend Linda Bradshaw, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

He is predeceased by his sister Heather, mother Isabelle, father Ronald, and father-in-law Ed. 

The family thanks Dr. Mannheimer, the nurses, and staff at the Invermere & District Hospital. The family will gather at a private ceremony at a later date.