May 22, 2020
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of beloved husband, father and brother Jonathan "J.R." Rardon.
J.R. died at home, with his family at his side, after a two-year battle with cancer on May 22, 2020. He was 61 years old.
J.R. was born in Patchogue, New York, but spent much of his childhood in Arlee, Montana.
He met his wife Pam in 1981. They married in 1986 and had three daughters. All were the lucky recipients of his love and positive spirit. The Rardon home was always filled with humour, a love of books and music, and a sense of compassion for others.
He always aspired to be a writer and began working in the newspaper world at the Oregonian before moving to Kodiak, Alaska as a sportswriter. He worked for several daily papers in Alaska and Washington before he and his family immigrated to Canada in 2006 and settled on Vancouver Island.
After a long career at the North Island Gazette in Port Hardy, followed by a short stint at the Campbell River Mirror, he moved to his final home in the Alberni Valley and became the editor of the Parksville Qualicum Beach News.
J.R. was a kind, gentle and generous man who loved to tell the human side of every story. He embodied excellence in everything he did, from working in his garden to running races to winning most years in his fantasy baseball league. He was an avid reader and a third-generation fan of the Chicago Cubs.
He is survived by his wife Pamela and daughters Elena, Maia and Nora, and leaves behind a large extended family including seven siblings: Jeanne, Matt (Tammi), Martin (Sheri), Mary, Nora (Matt), Amy and Andrew (Crystal), as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Kathleen Rardon.
A special thank you to all who have reached out to share their memories and appreciation of the impact J.R. made on their lives. The world is just a little bit dimmer without his immense light.
A service is not planned at this time due to COVID-19 concerns. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada.