Obituary for Ronald Lockhart Ormiston
Ronald Lockhart Ormiston unexpectantly passed away on Wednesday May 12, 2021, in Credit Valley Hospital at the age of 90. He was experiencing very low blood pressure on Sunday May 9th and was admitted to the hospital where he passed 3 days later.
Ron is predeceased by his first wife, Donna Jaques Ford, whom he married in 1968 and adopted her young son of eleven, Kenneth Paul (Ford) Ormiston. Ron and Ken laid to rest their wife/mother in 1975. In 1984 Ron married Ruth Adams Morningstar and welcomed with open arms more family into his life with Ruth’s adult children. He became a loving step-father to Jane Morningstar (Jack Velanoff), Scott Morningstar (Pamela Morningstar) and JoAnne Pedersen (Boje Pedersen).
He was a proud Papa to Jane’s children, Matthew and Jaclyn Velanoff; JoAnne’s children Andrew, Katie and Diana Pedersen and Scott’s (predeceased) children, Erick (Molly) and Paul Morningstar. Great Grandfather to Easton and Norah (Erick and Molly’s children). He was a devoted brother to Evelyn (Ormiston) Dingman and loving brother-in-law to Judy (Ted) Nurse. Ron was a gift to our hearts and a joy to our lives.
Ron was born in Brooklin (near Oshawa) Ontario on July 5, 1930, to parents Frank Lockhart Ormiston and Bessie Bertha (Windatt) Ormiston, a younger brother to Evelyn.
Ron attended Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, from 1950 to 1954, receiving his degree in Civil Engineering. There, he met lifelong friends he would keep in close touch with his whole life, sharing monthly lunches and reminiscing. He attended his Queen’s reunions faithfully, later to be joined by two of his granddaughters, Katie and Diana, also Queen’s graduates, often sneaking them into alumni events reserved for the older generations much to the chagrin of the staffers.
He put to use his engineering degree at Abitibi Price for most of his career, gathering enough frequent flyer points from his many trip to pulp and paper mills, to enable he and Ruth to travel first class to Singapore and Bali.
Ron was introduced to sailing by his friend Dennis Toews in 1959, competing on International 14s. They both eventually moved up to larger boats and competed with world class sailors and Olympians. When Ron met Ruth, who owned her own Chris Craft, the battle between stink pot and rag bag began. A fire at the winter storage facility cinched the deal for Ron and the two sailed away in Lacuna for the next 40 years. Ron’s passion for sailing was a common thread in raising his son, step-children and grandchildren.
His love for sailing was rivaled by his love for team sports, especially the Blue Jays which he would watch enthusiastically with Ruth on TV, or live in both Toronto or spring training in Florida. After retirement, yearly escapes to Sarasoda visiting with their snowbird friends and
Ruth’s sister Janet and husband Bruce, was always a welcomed retreat from winter.
Ron’s love and care for his family was evident in all he did. Whether it be taking them to ball games, building chairs, ladders, and doll houses in his workshop, pulling the wagon filled with laughing grandkids behind the tractor, or of course teaching them to sail; he did so with joy and sincerity. His family is so grateful to have had Ron in their lives.
Much laughter and memories were shared at many family gatherings, always ending with a good meal around the dinner table, and perhaps a gin martini. As much as he loved adventure in his life, Ron also enjoyed the quiet moments at home with Ruth, watching the birds from their swing on the porch, and building new contraptions to keep the squirrels out of the feeders.
Ron was blessed with a loving family, lasting friendships, happy memories, fulfilling career, and a wonderful life that he shared with all that knew him. He will be greatly missed.
A virtual memorial service will be held on May 19, 2021 at 2:00pm at St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church. He will be laid to rest when we can safely gather again with family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MS Society, Queen’s University or St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church, Mississauga.
Ron is predeceased by his first wife, Donna Jaques Ford, whom he married in 1968 and adopted her young son of eleven, Kenneth Paul (Ford) Ormiston. Ron and Ken laid to rest their wife/mother in 1975. In 1984 Ron married Ruth Adams Morningstar and welcomed with open arms more family into his life with Ruth’s adult children. He became a loving step-father to Jane Morningstar (Jack Velanoff), Scott Morningstar (Pamela Morningstar) and JoAnne Pedersen (Boje Pedersen).
He was a proud Papa to Jane’s children, Matthew and Jaclyn Velanoff; JoAnne’s children Andrew, Katie and Diana Pedersen and Scott’s (predeceased) children, Erick (Molly) and Paul Morningstar. Great Grandfather to Easton and Norah (Erick and Molly’s children). He was a devoted brother to Evelyn (Ormiston) Dingman and loving brother-in-law to Judy (Ted) Nurse. Ron was a gift to our hearts and a joy to our lives.
Ron was born in Brooklin (near Oshawa) Ontario on July 5, 1930, to parents Frank Lockhart Ormiston and Bessie Bertha (Windatt) Ormiston, a younger brother to Evelyn.
Ron attended Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, from 1950 to 1954, receiving his degree in Civil Engineering. There, he met lifelong friends he would keep in close touch with his whole life, sharing monthly lunches and reminiscing. He attended his Queen’s reunions faithfully, later to be joined by two of his granddaughters, Katie and Diana, also Queen’s graduates, often sneaking them into alumni events reserved for the older generations much to the chagrin of the staffers.
He put to use his engineering degree at Abitibi Price for most of his career, gathering enough frequent flyer points from his many trip to pulp and paper mills, to enable he and Ruth to travel first class to Singapore and Bali.
Ron was introduced to sailing by his friend Dennis Toews in 1959, competing on International 14s. They both eventually moved up to larger boats and competed with world class sailors and Olympians. When Ron met Ruth, who owned her own Chris Craft, the battle between stink pot and rag bag began. A fire at the winter storage facility cinched the deal for Ron and the two sailed away in Lacuna for the next 40 years. Ron’s passion for sailing was a common thread in raising his son, step-children and grandchildren.
His love for sailing was rivaled by his love for team sports, especially the Blue Jays which he would watch enthusiastically with Ruth on TV, or live in both Toronto or spring training in Florida. After retirement, yearly escapes to Sarasoda visiting with their snowbird friends and
Ruth’s sister Janet and husband Bruce, was always a welcomed retreat from winter.
Ron’s love and care for his family was evident in all he did. Whether it be taking them to ball games, building chairs, ladders, and doll houses in his workshop, pulling the wagon filled with laughing grandkids behind the tractor, or of course teaching them to sail; he did so with joy and sincerity. His family is so grateful to have had Ron in their lives.
Much laughter and memories were shared at many family gatherings, always ending with a good meal around the dinner table, and perhaps a gin martini. As much as he loved adventure in his life, Ron also enjoyed the quiet moments at home with Ruth, watching the birds from their swing on the porch, and building new contraptions to keep the squirrels out of the feeders.
Ron was blessed with a loving family, lasting friendships, happy memories, fulfilling career, and a wonderful life that he shared with all that knew him. He will be greatly missed.
A virtual memorial service will be held on May 19, 2021 at 2:00pm at St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church. He will be laid to rest when we can safely gather again with family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the MS Society, Queen’s University or St. Stephen’s on the Hill United Church, Mississauga.