Roland’s Obituary
Sumara, Roland Ralph “Ronnie” — 9 October 1933–8 August 2021
The family of Ronnie Sumara regrets to announce his passing, following a brief illness, at the age of 87 years. The youngest son of Frank Sumara and Ottilie Lazars of Springhill, Ron endured the loss of his mother when he was seven years old. He counted Viva “Vi” Gilroy as his second mother, until her passing in 2004 at High-Crest Nursing Home, where he was a faithful visitor. The son of a coal miner, Ron’s family lived in one of the “Potter’s Row” houses on Church St. Ron’s early life was marked by a country at war, brothers serving in the Canadian Forces, and a debilitating illness that left him hospitalized for long periods. He overcame these challenges to earn an education in meteorology, which he put to use serving at Canada’s northern bases — the DEW line — and primarily at Frobisher Bay (Iqaluit) in the 1950s. Returning from his tour in the North, he worked as a meteorologist in Sydney and later Halifax until returning to Springhill in the 1970s. Returning to his hometown, Ronnie was known for his generosity, as he loved to cook and deliver meals to neighbours, prepare sandwiches for events at the library and heritage centre, and generally went out of his way to bring folks what they needed, often making multiple trips down and up Springhill’s steep roads daily. He had a great love for gardening, particularly his flower beds of tulips, and his apple trees, named after his brother Charlie and sister-in-law Eva Sumara, respectively. Ronnie was an avid photographer, responsible for many of the family treasures documenting family and places from decades past. During his time in the North, he amassed dozens of fascinating images of life among the Inuit of the region, the stark landscapes, and his fellow inhabitants at HMCS Frobisher Bay. Back in Nova Scotia, Ronnie spent countless hours walking the streets of Springhill, photographing buildings and homes for projects with the Springhill Heritage Group, where he dedicated his time to preserving the history of his community and enjoyed the company of good friends in common cause. Special mention must be made of his friends Russell Fisher, Pat Crowe, Audrey Ryan; and his good friend the late Ross Rushton. He is remembered by friends and neighbours for always having a generous supply of treats for the kids at Halloween, Christmas, and any other excuse to be kind. He was a constant presence at the Springhill library, very giving of his time and donations, and made good use of the senior’s education courses offered there once he purchased his first computer. A lifelong bachelor, Ronnie had no children, though he spoiled those around him as if they were his own. He was predeceased by his mother, Ottilie Lazars; father, Frank Sumara; brothers, Albin Frank, KIA in Belgium during World War II; Albert (Mary Gilroy; Eleanor Strong); Edward (Florence Jollimore; Jeanette Forcey Leslie); John (Doris McKinnon); Charles (Eva West); his dear aunt Annie (Sumara) Rushton; cousins Helen (Curtis Myatt) Rushton; Ralston (Gay) Rushton; Fred (Betty MacLean) King; Laurence (Hazel Ball) King; Blanche (Roger Peterson) King. He is survived by nephews Gerald (Joyce) Sumara; and Jeff (Kim) Sumara. Nieces Mary Anne Gawalko, Diane (Grant) McAllister, Nancy (Charles Purdy) and JoAnne Finley; Cousins, Paul (Joan MacDonald) Rushton; Betty (Gerald) Bird. Ron had many grand nieces and nephews, and countless friends who remember him fondly. Ron’s family extends heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at The White Birches Retirement Residence and Gables Nursing Home, both in Amherst, for their dedication to Ronnie’s well-being these past few years. Ronnie was an essential link to the Sumara family history. Mark Rushton, son of Ron’s cousins Paul and Joan, took up the project of maintaining the family archive of photos and artifacts. Ron was our link to those who went before. Those who served and sacrificed, those who mined and endured. The son of a Polish immigrant to Nova Scotia, Ron safeguarded photos, wartime medals, woodcrafts of his industrious father, and most importantly, memories of the family of which he was the last in his generation. It remains our charge to preserve those treasured memories and to remember from where we came, and those whose trials and tribulations led us to these shores and lands beyond. In Canada there are only two Sumara family lines – that of Ron’s great-grandparents Vencel and Anna (Pastor) who landed in Halifax in 1904 with their children, among them Ron’s father Frank; the other line, immigrants to the prairies from the USA, may well be distant cousins. Our story will continue to be documented at www.sumara.ca. Ronnie did not wish to have a service upon his passing. His ashes will be interred with his parents in Hillside Cemetery with a small committal service in the near future. Donations in Ronnie’s memory may be made to the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, Springhill Miners Memorial Library, or the charity of your choice. Ronnie chose MacDiarmid’s Funeral Home, Oxford, to manage his funeral arrangements. We thank Andrew and Leta for their kindness and sympathies.
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October 09 1933 August 08 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Roland Ronnie Sumara October 09 1933 August 08 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Oxford, Province: Nova Scotia