Ronald Frederick Beal

Ronald died peacefully in resident care on October 25, 2018. He was 97 years old. Ronald was born in Toronto to British immigrant parents, the second of five children. He was a long-time resident of Scarborough who enjoyed camping and in retirement, winters in Florida.

Ronald was the last surviving member of the Royal Grenadiers, which later became the Royal Regiment of Canada. He served with the regiment with the rank of Private during WW2 in Iceland and in the fateful raid on Dieppe in 1942. He was taken POW and incarcerated in Germany for 33 months. His military service and extended incarceration became a focal point in his life after his discharge.

Ronald’s career was in the Federal public service in the former Unemployment Insurance Commission. After retiring in 1977, he devoted his energy to advocating for veterans and former POWs. He served as President of the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoners of War Association for 20 years. During that time, he gave many talks and media interviews about his war-time experience. He also provided support to fellow veterans and POWs to navigate the newly-established process to show eligibility for pensions for their psychological distress.

He is grieved by his wife of 72 years, Marjorie and extended family: his son Sydney and his wife Dianne, their son James and his wife Samantha Reilly; his daughter Lynne and her partner Pat Healy; his brother Austin and his wife Evelyn and their children and spouses and grandchildren; as well as others too numerous to name. His family is grateful for the attentive care he received in his final years as a resident in the K Wing for Veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sunnybrook Foundation directed to Veteran’s Programs.

A celebration of Ronald’s life will take place at the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre 4115 Lawrence Ave. E. Scarborough, ON on Saturday, November 10th, 2018. Visitation is from 2 - 3 p.m. and the Funeral Service will begin at 3 p.m.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember you. Stand down, good and faithful servant, and be at peace.