STODDARD, Ronald Lawrence, B.com., C.A.

It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald Lawrence Stoddard announce his passing on December 23, 2020, at the age of 84 after celebrating his birthday on December 14th, and after a lengthy illness and heart failure in Edmonton, Alta. Ronald was the oldest child of Edgar and Edith (Morris) Stoddard. He grew up on Poplar Street in Halifax and attended Sir Charles Tupper School, Cornwallis Jr. High, and Q.E. H. S. There he excelled in math and the sciences and went on to further his studies and graduate from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce. Ron loved Physics and Math at Dal and made some of the highest marks ever recorded at that time. For recreation, Ron curled, swam, sailed, golfed, and played duplicate bridge at the Masters level. He also loved to dance and he excelled at the Jitterbug. He reached his long-held professional goal of becoming a partner with H. R. Doane and Company in 1968 after serving the communities of Stephenville, N.L., Truro, and Halifax. While living in Truro, Ron was vicechair of the Dalhorizons fundraising project alongside of the chair, Lorne Clarke, LLB. In 1975, Ron headed west to Edmonton where he accepted a position with Winspear Higgins Stevenson & Co., which later merged with Deloitte. During his time there Ron had the honor of presenting awards to winners of the 1978 Commonwealth Games. In Edmonton, he became a huge Oilers fan, and was active in the P.C. party. In 1985, he opened up his own accounting firm. After a heart attack in 1994 he became an advocate for health care reform both in Alberta and the rest of Canada having shared his ideas with all Ministers of Health in every province. The creation of the Mazinkowski Centre in Edmonton was the realization of his vision for an integrated Cardiac care centre in Alberta. Over the years, Ron was a member of the Waegwoltic Club in Halifax, Sigma Chi Fraternity, The Masonic Lodge, The Truro Golf and Country Club, The Royal Glenora Club in Edmonton, the Halifax Board of Trade, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. If we were to ask Ron, "what was your greatest accomplishment?" his instant response would be "finding Marlene", the love of his life. Married for 58 years, their respect for one another helped them raise their two sons kindly, wisely, and thoughtfully. Always loyal to his family, church, community, province and country, Ron lived a life that inspired others to be honest and fair. Ronald was predeceased by his parents, Edith and Edgar and is survived by his beloved wife, Marlene ( Mitchell); his beloved sons, Larry (Chantale) in Ottawa, and Michael (Leslie) in Calgary; his precious grandchildren, David (Ellie), in Ottawa; Christopher (Hunter), in Kirkland Lake, Ont.; Jack and Marlie, in Edmonton; his dear siblings, Janet Giles in Strathmore, Alta.; Elsie in Halifax, and Ken (Barb), in Richmond, B.C.; maternal aunts, Phyllis Maceachern, Halifax; Joan Roy, Edmonton, and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews. Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to your local Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice. Due to COVID-19, a private family service will be held at a later date.