O’BRIEN, Ronald Thomas (Ron), of Burlington Ontario, peacefully in his 91st year, after a series of non-COVID19-related health setbacks, on Monday March 7, 2022. Beloved husband of 54 years to Marie (MacNeil), dear father of Janet (John Rivers) and Erin (Blake Banbury) and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Pre-deceased by sister Una MacDonald (d. 2016).
Ron, or Junior as he was known in his younger years, lead a colourful (and long!) life. Born in Montreal, he grew up in Point St. Charles and NDG, and eventually (after plenty of ‘carefree’ years) settled into marriage, the suburban lifestyle and a mortgage in DDO. Ron enjoyed the daily commute on the CN train from the Roxboro station for 32 years, 5 days a week – well before ‘work from home’ existed. The daily train ride ended at his cherished workplace at the CN Rail Siège Social in downtown Montreal, where he was employed in the Accounting department until 1989.
During his work years, Ron enjoyed many activities, including curling with Marie at the Glenmore Curling Club, attending his daughters’ swim meets, mucking around in his garden (especially with the tomato plants), teaching his birds ‘Blue’, and a lifelong love/hate affair with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball – does anyone want Pirates memorabilia? He spent many afternoons and evenings enjoying MLB games on the radio (sometimes short wave), on TV, on the internet, or in person, of course favouring the Pirates. Marie was happy to accompany him on many occasions either to Pittsburgh or, in retirement, to Bradenton (the Pirates’ grapefruit league location) to watch games.
Pre-retirement , when he finally had some extra money, Ron developed quite an interest in investing and spent countless hours reading about investing strategies and tracking stock news and prices. Some of those strategies he successfully implemented and he was particularly fond of strip-bonds and Royal Canadian Mint coins. He always instilled a ‘save’ and ‘invest’ mentality in his girls and was very proud of how well they followed through on those lessons (and for which they are very grateful). Ron also made sure that his kids learned computer skills early on and pursued a university education since he wasn’t able to.
Marie and Ron spent many wonderfully warm spring training months in Florida, usually in Bradenton, so that Marie could do her daily walks on the beach and they could both attend Pirates spring training games in the afternoon. They also enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to Ireland. The last few years of COVID risks and restrictions have been tough on everyone, but it’s even harder when the only place you are safe to ‘walk’ is around your square-footage-limited condo.
Special thanks to the caring and dedicated doctors, nurses, PSWs and support staff at Joseph Brant Hospital, where Ron spent more time than he would have liked! Per Ron’s wishes, he has been cremated. A memorial and celebration with friends and family will be held in late spring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in his name.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ronald O’Brien Monday March 7th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: , Province: Ontario