Ron Lee, aged 79, of Salmon Arm, BC, died May 13, 2016 with family at his side, after having been diagnosed with brain cancer in late January of this year.
Ron was born in Powell River, BC in 1937. He was raised by his mother, Viola, after his father, Donald, died in 1944 during WWII while serving with the Royal Canadian Scottish in The Netherlands.
In addition to his mother and father, Ron was predeceased by his sister, Gloria. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, his children, Michele, Kevin (Cheryl) and Mark (Valerie), his grandchildren, Emma, Nick, Tommy, Brendan, Norah, Cormac and Eamon, as well as his sisters, Phyllis (Andre) and Cynde (Robin) and their children.
Ron was a lover of literature, reading, writing, photography, walking, travel, music and sports. He was fascinated by family history and genealogy, and he delighted in his Irish heritage.
Ron graduated university, from UBC in 1961. He worked as a teacher, counselor and administrator with students ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12 for 35 years in Fort St. John, Courtenay, Vernon, Sicamous and Salmon Arm. He particularly loved teaching math, social studies and civics, and was most delighted when the lessons helped young people understand and appreciate the roles they might play as citizens. He himself was a faithful, principled person.
A funeral mass was held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 60 1st Street SE, Salmon Arm, BC and was followed by a reception and luncheon in the St. Joseph’s Church Hall.
The family is extraordinarily grateful to the many skilled and gentle medical personnel who cared for Ron from the time of his diagnosis until the moment of his death, including Dr. Omahen (his neurologist at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops), Dr. Germaine (his oncologist at the BC Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior in Kelowna), and especially Dr. Levins (his primary care physician in Salmon Arm), and the teams surrounding them in each location. Ron’s family is also so very appreciative of the many family and friends who have offered their support and prayers and shared their memories of him as he navigated this final stage of his life’s journey.
Donations in Ron’s name will be gratefully accepted to the Okanagan Public Library Salmon Arm Branch or UNICEF.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through Ron’s obituary at www.bowersfuenralservice.com