Ronald Wilson
September 11, 2019
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WILSON, Ronald – Mr. Ronald Wilson at the Cornwall Community Hospital – McConnell Site on Wednesday September 11, 2019 at the age of 83 years. A Glengarry boy at heart, Ron was born in Lancaster during the latter part of the great depression. Due to difficult living circumstances of that era, he lived with his grandmother Maggie (née MacDonald) Emberg and grew up in the town of Green Valley. He attended school at St. Raphael’s Primary School #SS15 and, as a young man, made his way to Cornwall to seek out employment in the mid 1950’s. He enrolled in Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School where he attained his Grade 12 Diploma. Ron was a proud Canadian and veteran. He enlisted in the military in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps Reserve where he ascended to the Rank of Sergeant/Instructor. His unit was deployed to Korea shortly before armistice was declared in 1953 and he would not have the opportunity to serve overseas alongside his brother Jim. Later he would work as a labourer at CIL Chemicals in Cornwall and then in the ambulance service with the Hydro Hospital which existed in the west end of Cornwall to service the St. Lawrence Seaway hydroelectric project. He continued in the ambulance service thereafter at Miller’s Ambulance Service. During this era, the ambulance service was privately owned by funeral companies and it was here that he acquired his interest in the funeral service. He joined the Cornwall Police Department in 1959 and remained a police officer at heart until the day he died. He was always ready to share a story or anecdote of his many adventures from that period of his life. In 1976 after 17 years of service and an injury while in the line of duty, he left the police department in favour of pursuing his dream of operating his own funeral home. With six children at home, he enrolled at Humber College in Toronto, earned his funeral director’s license and founded Wilson Funeral Home in partnership with his wife Claire. Ron had a passion to contribute to the betterment and growth of his community; a community that he dearly loved. He was involved with the Optimist Club of Cornwall for over 35 years, was a team member for the construction of the Janet MacDonell Pavilion wing of the local hospital, was a former Parish Councillor of St. Columban’s and St. Francis de Sales Parishes, served on the management committee to rebuild Immanuel Christian Reformed Church after disaster struck, and sponsored the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame along with many other organizations. He always had a passion for Canadian politics serving as the Vice President of the local Provincial Conservative Party and leading him to pursue a nomination as a candidate in the provincial legislature. He was awarded with Honourary Life Membership in the Knights of Columbus where he served many significant roles including Grand Knight, Chancellor, and District Deputy. During his tenure as District Deputy he was particularly proud of establishing several new councils in the Cornwall area and was awarded for his efforts to grow the Knights of Columbus community. He did not slow down in his later years serving as an executive member of the Ottawa District Funeral Service Association. He also maintained his connection to policing and served as Chair of the Cornwall Police Services Board. His most life-changing event occurred as a young police officer and ambulance driver. He was blessed to come upon a beautiful and talented young nurse in the emergency ward at the Hotel Dieu Hospital. This nurse would become his beloved wife, the late Claire (née Benoit). They were married in 1960, raised their six children, and were later blessed with fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Left to mourn him are: Caroline LeBlanc, and children Justine and Nicholas; Charlene Wilson-MacLennan (Mike Lalonde), and children Cameron MacLennan and Ashley Lalonde; Allan Wilson (Bonnie), and children Jessica Fotenas (Dimitri and their son Everett), Grant, and Evan; Kim Simpson (Michael), and children Kaitlin, Scott, Jillian, and Neil; Donna Aitken (David), and children Allister and Kathryn; Paula Wilson (Adriano Palumbo), and children Mary and Veronica. Ron absolutely adored his grandchildren and they him. Of all he has done in his life, they were all his greatest pride and joy. Ron is predeceased by his parents Robert T. Wilson and Agnes (née Emberg) Wilson, and 3 brothers Robert James “Sonny” (Angela), Douglas (late Louise) and Percy. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family. Resting at his funeral home, 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall where visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The Mass of the Resurrection with Commendation and Farewell will be celebrated in St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, 434 Second Street, West, Cornwall, on Monday, September 16, 2019 at 10:00 AM. Rite of Committal to follow in St. Lawrence Valley Cemetery, Long Sault. Online messages of condolence may be made in the obituary section of: www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald Wilson..
Death notice for the town of: Cornwall, Province: Ontario