Obituary of Ronald Robinson
It is with great sadness that the family of Ronald John Robinson announce his passing on October 10, 2023 in North Saanich, British Columbia, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.
Eldest son of Herb and Dorothy Robinson, Ron grew up on the family farm in Lloydminster, AB with two brothers and a sister. After graduating high school Ron moved to Calgary where he attended SAIT and received a diploma in Civil Engineering. He also completed his Masters in Business Administration through Queen’s University. Ron worked for Federson Engineering and Bridge Works which he eventually came to own in Calgary. He later worked as a consultant and a dispute mitigation consultant. Ron worked on some of the largest projects in Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon and continued to work into the last weeks of his life. He was hard working, talented and successful.
Ron loved music, sports and the outdoors. He played guitar, hockey and football with his friends growing up. He trained for, and completed a full marathon in Calgary. He loved cross country skiing and winter camping. He began downhill skiing in Panarama, which eventually became his full time home. He loved to play an occasional round of golf and in recent years, road biking became his passion.
Ron also loved the islands of Hawaii and made numerous visits there. Last winter he lived in Hawaii for three months and was thrilled to say he swam with the dolphins. He rode his bike in Hawaii and was enamoured by the beauty that surrounded him there. Hawaii truly made him happy.
Ron was blessed with a daughter, Jessica Lee, who was the light of his life. As Uncle Jim recently said “Jessica, I want you to know the appreciation I have for the care and love you have given Ron, my brother, your Dad, and friend to many, in the last days of his life. Your Dad was very proud of you and loved you more than anything.”
In a nut shell, Ron loved his family, his early life on the farm, music, cars and the finer things in life. He fell in love, and out, faced adversity, was successful, and sometimes failed. Ron never gave up on life. When he found Michelle, he found his soulmate and true happiness. They were married September 1, 2023.
Ron was competitive, assertive, decisive, sharp, intelligent, exasperating. He was fierce, brave, strong, supportive, compassionate and loving. He was handsome, witty, charming and humorous. Ron was all of the things he needed to be exactly who he was. Ron was a winner.
A celebration of Ron’s life was held in Calgary on his 72nd birthday, Nov 1, 2023.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, Herb and Dorothy Robinson and his brother-in-law Sheldon Proznick. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Michelle, daughter Jessica (Matt), stepdaughter Nicole (Tyler), grandson Jett and stepson Spencer, Jessica’s mother Marie, brothers Brian (Kelly), Jim (Ruth) and sister Jean as well as three nephews, Adam, Jack and Michael. The strength and bravery Ron showed during his final weeks were a true testament to how he lived his life.
Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Ron’s memory.
