Ron Watkins, 89, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020, in Comox, B.C., from post-surgery heart complications.
Born May 30, 1931, in Montreal, Que. to Edith (Cretney) and George Watkins, Ron was 15 when the family moved to Schreiber, Ont. There, Ron was introduced to hockey, outdoor adventure, and first love, Jacquelyn (Jackie) Whent.
As a teenager, he wanted to marry, but she insisted he make something of himself first. He became the first boy from Schreiber to leave for a post-secondary education. At McGill University, he earned his degree in Chemical Engineering, returning home to marry Jackie on August 28, 1954.
Together, they headed west to Calgary where they raised a family: Drew (deceased, 1977), Julie and Trevor, and where Ron began his career. Moving quickly though the ranks in the Oil and Gas industry, Ron went from the rigs to senior executive of Home Oil and retired at age 60. After 51 years of marriage, Jackie passed away in November 2005.
To learn from his sorrow and deepen his understanding of his meaning of life, Ron explored cosmology and spirituality. This culminated in a term at the Cambridge Summer Science School. Upon his return to Calgary he became a more active member of community organizations and clubs.
He met his second love, Nancy Brown, at Calgary's Seniors Ski Club, and together they traveled, skied, golfed, and hiked. They married on December 17, 2011 in Calgary, Alta, and moved to Comox, B.C. in 2015.
Ron had a wonderful sense of humour and loved to entertain; especially singing and playing the harmonica around the campfire. The outdoors, alongside Nancy, is where he really loved to be. Together they shared many adventures away from civilization in their motorhome named Amelia. Always active, Ron's last foray into yoga, further deepened his appreciation for life.
Ron's love of his extended family and friends was huge - it touched everything he did and everyone he met. With his youthful spirit, he could bridge generations and relate to people from all walks of life.
A lovely human being, Ron will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May his example of how to live a full life inspire others, and may his love and laughter live on in our memories.
Ron is survived by wife Nancy, brother Robert (Lorna), daughter Julie, son Trevor (Catherine), and granddaughters, Olivia and Taya. Ron is also survived by his extended family: Nancy's children Deanna (Bruce), Doug, and Jennifer (Shawn), and grandchildren Jamie, Sean, Kristie, Kevin, Jessica, Michelle and great grandchild Ella.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Canada's Food Bank would be appreciated - www.foodbankscanada.ca.
Please join us in remembering Ron by visiting our memorial to share photos and memories at www.piercysmtwashingtonfuneral.com
Piercy's Mt. Washington Funeral HOme