THOMSON Ronald Kenneth

March 9, 1952 - March 19, 2018 Ron passed away peacefully of complications from Alzheimer’s in Surrey, BC. He will be sadly missed by his close friends and family, who cherished his patience and friendliness. He is survived by his mother June and brother Doug and sister Linda. In addition to his father Robert, he is predeceased by his recent partner of ten years, Sharon Irwin. A devoted student, he finished public school with a perfect attendance record and earned two bachelor degrees from McMaster University. He spent most of his spare time at university in the pool as a swim instructor, lifeguard and member of the swim and water polo teams. During these years, he went through all levels of the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada, earning Distinction Awards twice. He organized Canada-wide lifeguard championships, volunteered for 25 plus years and received the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, presented by Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in 2002, for his “outstanding and exemplary contributions.” He was the Aquatic director for the YMCA in Regina. He taught aqua fit classes for many years and designed a flotation device for deep-water aqua fit exercise. As well as aquatics, Ron loved music. He worked as a roadie at McMaster music concerts, managed an HMV music department in Regina for many years and attended hundreds of concerts, including several dozen Bruce Springsteen shows in Canada and the US. The family wishes to expressive their sincere thanks to the staff at CareLife Fleetwood, in Surrey, BC, for their compassionate care for Ron throughout his illness. A Celebration of Life will be held at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333) on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 3 - 6 p.m. Interment will follow at a future date. The family suggests memorial donations be directed to the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada at http://www.lifesavingsociety.com/do nate.aspx. Expressions of sympathy can be made online at http://www.smithsfh.com/book-ofmemories/

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