Ronald Smith Dow
1937-2021
Ronald Smith Dow, born July 27, 1937, died October 19,
2021. He is survived by the love of his life, Caroline, two
proud sons, Paul (wife Kelly, children Taylor and Denver)) and Blaine
(wife Emma, children Melissa (married to Dennis, with children
Naphtali, Elijah, Andre), Jack and Kincaid), and brothers Leonard
(wife Sally) and David (wife Diane). He will be met on the
other side by his eldest son, Craig, and brothers Herbert, Peter and
Gene, and his parents Burpee and Jennie.
Ron was born into the professional hands of Dr.Chestnut,
Hartland’s doctor for the ages. He lived his early
years of mischief in this lovely town, graduating from HHS in class of
1955. He completed teachers college 2 years later, and after
applying his trade for a few semesters, realized the kids would be
better served by others. Rather than being complicit in the
creation of delinquents, he felt his calling was catching them, so he
joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. After RCMP academy
in Saskatchewan, his first posting took him to Grand Falls,
Newfoundland. His first delinquents, it turns out, had a
lovely sister, and that is where he met Caroline! It was
love at first sight, and they married 6 months later. They
moved to St.John’s shortly after, where Craig and Paul were
born.
In 1969, the family moved to Ottawa, where Ron took a posting
at RCMP headquarters. They brought along
Caroline’s nephew, Brent, 12 years old at the time, and
raised him as one of their own. The next year, Blaine was
born.
In 1978, Ronald took early retirement from RCMP so the family
could move to Hartland where the kids could conclude high school and
have a home for life. Caroline opened a hair salon, and
roots were set for the generation. They built their dream home in
Rockland in 1981, which remains home.
Ronald worked for Day & Ross until 1983, and then
Page Farms until 1990, applying his policing and administrative
skills. Beyond professional work, however, he was an avid supporter of
his family. He was involved in organized hockey for Craig
and Blaine, and enjoyed the outdoors with Paul, making sure he helped
him “catch” his first moose. He was
Caroline’s professional supporter too, always backing her
business growth plans. He enjoyed gardening in his idle
time, ensuring the cold room was full each winter.
Ron and Caroline’s house was always open to those
who needed or just wanted to be there. Caroline’s mother
Rowene lived her last dozen years with them. Niece Lorna was
resident for more than 2 years. Exchange student Mohammed, from Egypt,
came to Canada for high school and stayed remained for a decade. And
the house was always open to friends of the family,
unconditionally. Only later did it become apparent what an
impact this had on many, yet he never knew.
There will be no public visitation or funeral at this time.
Arrangements are under the care of the Britton Funeral Home, 2 HIgh
Street, Hartland, NB. www.brittongh.ca. 506-375-4343
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald Smith Dow 19372021..
Death notice for the town of: Hartland, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick