O'HEARE o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-10-22 published
Ronald Jess
FOSTER
By Fran O'HEARE
Wednesday,
October 22, 2003 - Page A20
Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, golfer. Born
May 4, 1919, in Fredericton, New Brunswick Died October 13, of
cancer, aged 84.
Ron learned he had lung cancer in May of this year. Although
it had been more than 30 years since he smoked, his oncologist
told him that "lungs never forget." He was advised to play golf,
drive his Lincoln, have a good time and get his affairs in order.
So he did. He called his children and grandchildren and implored
those who smoked, to quit and those who didn't smoke, not to
start. His son Stephen and daughter-in-law Lynn quit smoking.
Ron opted for chemotherapy and despite 42 treatments over four
months, maintained his humour, stamina and appetite. The more
his tumour shrank, the better he felt, and so he started "the
farewell golf tour." Together with his son Graham and brother-in-law
Bill, Ron managed to play most of the golf courses in and around
Kingston, Ontario, during his final months. Two weeks before
he died, "short of air and hair," as he put it, Ron played nine
holes on the Gananoque golf course and shot 50 "without cheating
which is more than I can say about Jimmy," referring to his
brother-in-law who had joined him for the game.
When he turned 80, Ron's children gave him a dog, a miniature
schnauzer. Misty was a constant source of great companionship,
love and affection. Her favourite spot was Ron's lap where she
spent many hours during his final weeks.
Ron enlisted September 3, 1939, right at the start of the Second
World War; he served as a sergeant in the 90th battery, 1st Anti-Tank
Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. He was wounded twice
and decorated by Field Marshal Montgomery. Following the war,
he moved to Kingston where he worked as foreman at DuPont.
Upon his retirement in the 1970s, Ron and his wife Barbara purchased
a place in Lake Seminole Estates, Florida, where he enjoyed 27
years as a Snowbird. Ron loved Florida and was the life of the
party -- and there were parties galore. He will be fondly remembered
for his pancake breakfasts, Christmas dinners, and Super Bowl
extravaganzas. Regardless of the occasion, Ron would always make
his special baked beans, the key ingredient being rum -- and
lots of it. They were delicious.
Ron was a lifetime member and past president of the Kingston
Lions Club. He enjoyed the camaraderie and worked tirelessly
on the club's events and committees. One of his proudest moments
was being honoured as a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Lions International
Foundation for "dedicated humanitarian services."
Labatt Blue was Ron's favourite beer and he often bemoaned the
fact that he had never purchased shares in the company. "There's
no bad beer, " he would say, "but some are better than others."
The day before he died, he sipped half-a-bottle of beer through
a straw.
Ron loved driving his car. His commanding use of the brakes was
well known among those of us who were passengers (as well as
his mechanic). In the middle of his chemotherapy, at the age
of 84, he took and passed his driving test, to his immense satisfaction.
Despite the traditional division of labour in his marriage, Ron
was the family shopper. Each week, he would pore over the flyers
to identify the best buys on bran flakes, orange juice and toilet
paper. He shopped at stores where complimentary goodies were
served and noted with pride that, on those days he went grocery
shopping, he wouldn't need lunch.
During his final weeks, Ron was visited by all his kids. At one
visit, his son Alan advised Ron that he would bring his family
to Kingston from Winnipeg for Thanksgiving and wanted Ron to
be there. Ron promised he would stay around for the visit. He
kept his promise. He died Thanksgiving Day.
Fran is Ron
FOSTER's daughter-in-law.
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O'HEARN o@ca.on.york_county.toronto.globe_and_mail 2003-03-31 published
O'HEARN,
Fred
J.
He showed us courage, humour, steadfastness and good judgement
in life and at his time of death. We always miss him. Audrey
and family. Died March 31st, 1998.
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