Obituary for Ronald "Ron" Labelle
Peacefully and on his own terms Ron Labelle passed away at Victoria Hospital in London overnight on February 18, 2022. Ron has been reunited with his beloved life partner Joan who passed in 2020 and his daughter Lynda who also passed in 2020.
Their spirit lives on with daughter Wendy Lewis, son Terry (Tamra) Labelle and son-in-law Dale Ouellette. Memories of Nana and Papa will be cherished by Corey (Nancy) Ouellette, Hunter Ouellette, Alex Lewis, Grace and Abby Labelle-Scott.
Good memories are held by brothers and sisters-in-law; Cleo Labelle of Sault Ste Marie, Charlie (Phyllis) Fleming of London, Barbara Ann Wadge of London and Jean Maurice of Stratford, along with many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Ron was predeceased by his big brother Bill Labelle and brother-in-law Robert Fleming. Also, brothers-in-law Don Maurice and Dave Wadge.
Ron was born in Kirkland Lake, ON and was always very proud of his hometown. He and Joan met at a dance at the Sylvanite Hall when he was in his late teens and joined in marriage in 1960. He initiated his career with Royal Bank in Kirkland Lake upon completion of high school. That employment opportunity grew to be a 40 plus year career with that same employer and transferred Joan and himself to many communities throughout Ontario. Many of his best friends were fellow bankers or bank clients.
His achievements and accomplishments within Royal Bank were many but the accomplishments he was most proud of came from working within the community. Two of those projects stood above all.
In the early 1970’s, Ron played a significant role in the establishment of the Tri Township Arena in Mount Brydges. Working with many like-minded community members and the involvement of the local Lion’s Club, the fundraising effort succeeded in creating a recreational focal point for the small community.
Shortly after retirement, he worked with another group of community minded leaders in Tillsonburg, and succeeded in establishing a satellite dialysis unit at the Tillsonburg Hospital. The perseverance of the group not only made a huge difference for the community, but it would eventually benefit Ron’s own family when his wife Joan became a patient of the unit.
Ron had a passion for hockey that could not be equalled. A caregiver said she watched many hours of Leaf TV with him during which time he often expressed his disappointment in the lack of championships. He played hockey well into his 60’s and was thrilled to see Alex and Abby share that interest. Curling was also high on his list of activities and the Tillsonburg Curling Club was a favourite hangout. Although, he confessed it was the social aspect that was the greatest interest. The same could be said about golf as he spent more time planning the end of season backyard BBQ than working on his swing.
A longtime resident of Tillsonburg, Ron found it necessary to move to London when he required long term care in the early days of the current health crisis. He had been a resident of Arbor Trace Care Centre since May of 2020. We thank the staff of Arbor Trace for their dedication and support for residents and families through this incredibly challenging period. Also, Ron had tremendous supplemental support from Comfort Keepers of London in these past couple of months.
Please check the Ostrander Funeral Home website www.ostranderfuneralhome.com for further information concerning funeral arrangements.
Donations can be made directly at
https://www.tillsonburghospital.on.ca/ or by mailing cheque payable to
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital at
167 Rolph Street
Tillsonburg
ON N4G 3Y9
Their spirit lives on with daughter Wendy Lewis, son Terry (Tamra) Labelle and son-in-law Dale Ouellette. Memories of Nana and Papa will be cherished by Corey (Nancy) Ouellette, Hunter Ouellette, Alex Lewis, Grace and Abby Labelle-Scott.
Good memories are held by brothers and sisters-in-law; Cleo Labelle of Sault Ste Marie, Charlie (Phyllis) Fleming of London, Barbara Ann Wadge of London and Jean Maurice of Stratford, along with many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Ron was predeceased by his big brother Bill Labelle and brother-in-law Robert Fleming. Also, brothers-in-law Don Maurice and Dave Wadge.
Ron was born in Kirkland Lake, ON and was always very proud of his hometown. He and Joan met at a dance at the Sylvanite Hall when he was in his late teens and joined in marriage in 1960. He initiated his career with Royal Bank in Kirkland Lake upon completion of high school. That employment opportunity grew to be a 40 plus year career with that same employer and transferred Joan and himself to many communities throughout Ontario. Many of his best friends were fellow bankers or bank clients.
His achievements and accomplishments within Royal Bank were many but the accomplishments he was most proud of came from working within the community. Two of those projects stood above all.
In the early 1970’s, Ron played a significant role in the establishment of the Tri Township Arena in Mount Brydges. Working with many like-minded community members and the involvement of the local Lion’s Club, the fundraising effort succeeded in creating a recreational focal point for the small community.
Shortly after retirement, he worked with another group of community minded leaders in Tillsonburg, and succeeded in establishing a satellite dialysis unit at the Tillsonburg Hospital. The perseverance of the group not only made a huge difference for the community, but it would eventually benefit Ron’s own family when his wife Joan became a patient of the unit.
Ron had a passion for hockey that could not be equalled. A caregiver said she watched many hours of Leaf TV with him during which time he often expressed his disappointment in the lack of championships. He played hockey well into his 60’s and was thrilled to see Alex and Abby share that interest. Curling was also high on his list of activities and the Tillsonburg Curling Club was a favourite hangout. Although, he confessed it was the social aspect that was the greatest interest. The same could be said about golf as he spent more time planning the end of season backyard BBQ than working on his swing.
A longtime resident of Tillsonburg, Ron found it necessary to move to London when he required long term care in the early days of the current health crisis. He had been a resident of Arbor Trace Care Centre since May of 2020. We thank the staff of Arbor Trace for their dedication and support for residents and families through this incredibly challenging period. Also, Ron had tremendous supplemental support from Comfort Keepers of London in these past couple of months.
Please check the Ostrander Funeral Home website www.ostranderfuneralhome.com for further information concerning funeral arrangements.
Donations can be made directly at
https://www.tillsonburghospital.on.ca/ or by mailing cheque payable to
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital at
167 Rolph Street
Tillsonburg
ON N4G 3Y9