Ronald John Pittaway

June 2, 1947 – August 7, 2023

Ronald John Pittaway, age 76, died peacefully at his home in Toronto on Monday, August 7, 2023. Predeceased by his parents, Ronald Pittaway Sr. (2003) and Barbara Kehoe (1968), he is survived by his partner and dearest friend, Jean Iron, his brother Richard, sister-in-law Donna Horler, and sister Mary Larose (Peter). Ron is also survived by his nieces and nephew, Natasha, Barbara and Amber Pittaway and Avery, Jeffrey and Virginia Larose, and his special cousins from Barry's Bay, Bob and Cathie Corrigan.

Ron was a lifelong, passionate and accomplished birder. In the early 1960s, growing up in Aylmer, Quebec, he founded the Aylmer Birdwatchers' Club, sharing his love of birds with childhood friends, and he was an active member of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club. Over the course of his life, he inspired countless others to grab their binoculars and join the fun. His enthusiasm never waned, and he and Jean were a familiar sight whenever a rare bird was sighted – no matter how far afield.

Ron often spoke about how fortunate he was to have spent his working life close to nature, initially as a park naturalist in Algonquin Park, and later as education coordinator, teaching conservation and resource management science at the Leslie M. Frost Natural Resource Centre in Haliburton, Ontario. To prepare for this career, Ron had graduated from Algonquin College’s forestry technician program and the University of Waterloo with an Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree.

Ron made significant contributions to birding through publication of about 200 articles and countless scholarly posts on birding discussion groups and forums. He was mentor to many, always answering questions and being generous with his knowledge to help people learn about birds. Above all, Ron was humble. He was a founding life member of the Ontario Field Ornithologists (OFO) in 1982 and received the OFO Distinguished Ornithologist Award in 2005.

Ron treasured the Carden Alvar for its global rarity and precious natural history. Its conservation was of utmost importance to him. He introduced many to the area through his Carden Alvar Birding Guide and the field trips he led there. The establishment of Carden Alvar Provincial Park in April 2014 was a highlight.

Ron cared deeply about shorebirds, having worked in the Canadian Arctic on shorebird conservation in 1975. When Jean went to Hudson and James Bays in northern Ontario from 2002 to 2018 to participate in shorebird surveys, Ron seized the opportunity to publish timely reports from Jean in the north on birding forums across North America. His reports were packed with information showing the importance of these shorelines to millions of shorebirds.

Ron became a member of the Toronto Ornithological Club in 1999 and contributed many articles to its newsletter. He loved fall hawkwatching at Cranberry Marsh in Whitby, and High Park and Rosetta McClain Gardens in Toronto.

Ron’s acclaimed Winter Finch Forecast was eagerly anticipated by fellow birders in early fall. He published his first forecast for the 1999-2000 season on August 31, 1999. After his 21st annual forecast for the 2019-2020 season on September 14, 2019, Ron retired.

Despite health challenges that limited Ron’s birding for the last year, he keenly followed current events and sightings in the birding community.

Ron will be missed by his beloved partner, Jean, his dear family, and all his many friends. We are forever grateful to Jean for having enriched Ron's life beyond measure.

Thank you to everyone for your condolences and support at this sad time.

Donations may be made in Ron’s name to Nature Conservancy Canada, Diabetes Canada, or charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Photo credit: Zeny Lloyd-Mills