Ronald Glassford, our beloved brother and uncle, passed from this world on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, in the Surrey Memorial Hospital, Surrey BC, at age 68.
Ronald was born in St. Catharines, Ontario on June 2, 1953, the day of the Coronation of our Queen. His parents Donald Watkins Glassford and Marian Hilda Corbett have both predeceased him.
Ronald had a gift of humour from an early age. Even in Kindergarten, he often danced goofy dances to go along with his quips, to entertain the kids at school as well as the family. In high school, Ronald and his friends started an alternative school newspaper, where his satirical sketches morphed into his favourite hobby of drawing cartoons. Ronald used these funny sketches to reflect to others how they were behaving, and to promote better communication.
In 1974, while at McMaster, Ronald married Nancy Gora. They separated in 1981, but Nancy has remained close to the family to this day. Ronald was also a prodigious reader, passionate about British and European history, and he completed a B.A. and M.A.in history at McMaster University, and a B.Ed. at the University of Toronto. His preferred area of teaching was back-to-work therapy, at first with Workers’ Compensation and later in the private sector. He was also a qualified ESL teacher.
In the early ‘90’s Ronald began to show signs of the illness that weakened him and eventually helped bring on his demise: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS). He endured illness and multiple surgeries courageously and enjoyed his final decade reading everything he could and socializing in the public library across the street. He is survived by sisters Bonnie Glassford, Elizabeth Inwood (Daniel), niece Sarah Brown, and nephews David, Andrew (Maye) and Brian Inwood, as well as great-niece Madeline and great-nephew Arthur.
Graveside service will take place Friday, August 20, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the Surrey Centre Cemetery, 16671 Old McLellan Road, Surrey B.C (Cloverdale).
Donations may be made to the hospital of your choice, especially the Royal Columbian (New Westminster), Vancouver General, and Surrey Memorial (Surrey BC). No flowers please.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald James Glassford June 2 1953 – August 3 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Cloverdale, Province: Colombie britanique