The Atkinson family is sad to announce the passing of Ron Atkinson on June 25 2017. Although we feel sorrow for our loss, our hearts are full of gratitude for the joy and love and inspiration he brought to our lives and to those of his dear friends.
Ron was born in Midland Ontario in 1933. Discovering his love for the piano as a young boy led him to an early career as a supervisor of music in schools in the Beamsville district in Ontario. He was a graduate in Music, and a Master of Theology, and continued post graduate studies at the Ecumenical Institute of the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Ron’s thirty-year ministry with The United Church of Canada was interrupted for a few years in order to work as a director of the International Student Center at the University of Toronto, followed by a term as manager of The Toronto Dance Theatre which led to his co-founding of Dayspring, a Festival of the Arts in downtown Toronto. He continued to serve pastorates in Hamilton Ontario, Vancouver , beautiful Quadra Island and finally St. Stephen’s in Qualicum Beach from which he retired in 1988, and chose to settle in his home in Qualicum Beach. Ron loved that beach and swam every day from June to September for several years.He also loved playing the piano, writing, gardening and spending time with his family.
He will be remembered with love by his beloved wife Donna, his sons Michael and Marc (Dierdre) grandchildren Caitlin, Arlo and Odus, and by many dear friends.
We wish to thank those wonderful people at Trillium Hospice in Parksville who gave him such loving patient and cheerful care.
Many who knew Ron will remember him saying: “Go into the world with a daring and tender love” This is how Ron lived his life.
Friends and Family will gather to celebrate Ron’s life at his Qualicum beach home.