Ronald Francis Dingwell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ron at home on May 5, 2016. Ron has been living bravely with ALS since November 2013. He was born in Corner Brook, NL on June 30, 1957, the first-born son to F. Neil Dingwell and Lillian (Stacey) Dingwell. He attended school in Goose Bay and graduated high school in Stephenville, NL. Ron pursued post-secondary education receiving a certificate in Communications Electronics at DVS, Gander Campus in 1976. In addition, Ron studied diligently for his Certificate in Quality Management at Dalhousie University which he completed in February 2012.

Ron was initially employed as a Service Technician — first with Mountain Cablevision in Hamilton, ON in 1976, returning to St.John's, NL in 1977 to work with Avalon Cablevision. In July 1978, Ron began a 35-year career as a Civilian Member with the RCMP, starting as a Technician in the Radio Workshop in St. John's, NL, and moving to Halifax with the Force in 1982. He retired in August 2013 as Atlantic Regional Informatics Officer. Ron truly loved his job and his coworkers and in turn was highly admired and respected by his RCMP colleagues from coast to coast. Post-retirement, Ron worked as Consultant with the Province of Nova Scotia, proudly seeing to completion the TMR2 Project for which he received the Ian MacKinnon Memorial Interoperability Award in October 2015. Ron was also the recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Ron was a regular blood donor, giving just under 200 donations. He was a volunteer with the Bedford Minor Basketball Association and Boy Scouts of Canada, 7th Bedford.

Some of Ron's fondest memories were those spent with his parents, siblings, grandparents and cousins at the family farm at Wesley, Codroy Valley, NL. Years later, he continued the tradition of summer vacations to the Valley with his wife and children. Ron is survived by his wife Doreen Hutchings, his son Christopher (Elena Acosta) and his daughter Rebecca (Alex Nunes), his mother Lillian, his sister Janet Furey (George) and his brother Brian (Peggy), sisters-in-law Pauline Hutchings and Elaine Furlong (Tom) and brother-in-law Wally Hutchings (Mary) as well as five nephews and three nieces. Ron was predeceased by his father Neil in January of this year.

A special thank you to all our family and friends who stood by us throughout this journey. Dave Jarvis and Colette McDonald, you always provided a laugh with your daily calls and texts. Special thanks to the following: Veterans Affairs Canada, staff at Continuing Care Nova Scotia; Ron's RJF caregivers, Nichola, Karen, Gareth, Ng, Kemmetia and JJ; the staff at the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; Dr. Terry Mullan and staff and to all those providing care at the ALS clinic, QEII HSC; as well as other health professionals — Jeff Phillips, Steve Richey, Lana Meagher, Stephen Whitman, Janet Gallant and Carol Donaldson.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held for Ron on Monday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax with visitation taking place from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. Inurnment will take place at a future date. Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to the Dalhousie Medical Research foundation (ALS research - the Lab of Dr. Victor Rafuse) or a charity of your choice.