Ronald Albert Mitchell

To sum up a man’s life in a few paragraphs is always a challenge. This is especially true for Ron.

Looking at his life before he met the ‘love of his life’, Lorraine, and then looking at his life with the’ love of his life’ seems like a good way to start.

Ron was born in North Bay Ontario on Nov 2, 1934. A cabin in the French River District in Northern Ontario was home. Life was challenging in the 1930’s but his education in wilderness and general life survival was extensive. From a young age he learned to hunt and fish, talents that contributed to the family’s wellbeing.

He joined the army at the young underage of 17. Princess Pats Light Infantry trained him to be a paratrooper. He served in Korea with distinction and was awarded medals for his contribution on behalf of Canada.

He left the army before he was 21. He always retained a great respect for the Princess Pat and his experience in Korea and the military helped shape the man he was. We are all proud.

He joined the labour force and got on with life. He spent time earning his way working on Great Lakes barges and on underground and surface diamond drills. He learned millwrighting.

Then, he met Lorraine. He was twenty-one, she was nineteen.

They were married May 30th, 1957. Of course, as was the custom of the day, they started a family and had two children Kathy and Ron Jr.

Ron took a job at a steel manufacturing plant, eventually becoming a key member of the shop maintenance crew as millwright. He preached safety. He became the shop steward. He worked that job until his retirement in 1993.

He and Lorraine brought up their children in Toronto. They worked hard and gave them a good start in life. Although he worked hard, he never lost his sense of adventure and all his spare time between shifts at the factory was spent with his family creating adventure for everyone with limited resources. He taught his children many life lessons this way.

Ron made lifelong friends through his work and social activities during those Toronto years. He loved hockey and spent time as a coach. He loved playing cards and made sure his children appreciated the importance of a ‘poker face’. He loved fishing and camping and regularly brought the family ‘up North’ for weekends. He was a solid Dad, and his priority was always his family.

His children eventually went west to British Columbia and Ron and Lorraine followed in 1994.

Then Ron started an active retirement life in Vancouver and embraced it. If it sounded like fun, he was ready to go. Moving to Vancouver presented opportunities for him and he took advantage of it.

Ron’s life moved from a small cabin in French River to a new life in BC. His desire for adventure led him from fearlessly climbing on the World’s Largest Zip Rider and travelling 60 mph from the top of Hoonah Mountain in Alaska to London England where he rode the New Millenium Wheel over the London skyline.

He went on many adventures with his family throughout his life and never said no to any suggestion of fun.

He loved to fish. He loved to take Lorraine on cruises. He loved to golf. He loved working around his daughter’s house and caring for the garden. He loved watching the Vancouver Canucks. He loved telling stories. He loved meeting people, making yet more lifelong friends in his new home. And of course he loved Snowboarding which he took up in his 60’s. He loved life and didn’t waste it.

Ron was fiercely loyal; he stood by his friends and family. He happily embraced his acquired and extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren and anyone who wanted a good laugh and some fun and adventure. He appreciated all the new friends he made in BC and the help from his friends in medicine who contributed to a long and productive life.

Ron was friendly and witty, a fact known by all those who met him and made the best he could out of life which made all the lives round him better for having known him.

From his humble beginnings in North Bay to travelling through the Panama Canal Ron lived life. Ron and Lorraine have been a team for 67 years and will remain that way still.

He will be missed but his presence will be felt always.

A Celebration of Ron's llife will be held in the Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 10:00 am.