Ron Simpson
May 25th, 2018
With great sadness we announce the passing of Ron on May 25, 2018 at the age of 95. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Mary, daughters Helen and Ruth (Bill), stepchildren Kim (Richard), Carol, and Richard (Vanessa), 19 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and his sister Joyce Simpson. Ron is predeceased by his parents Annie and Henry.
Ron was born in West Ham, London, England and began his working life delivering telegrams by bicycle. From 1942-1946 during WWII, he was a Signal-Man in the British army, serving in Malaysia, India, Burma, Singapore and South Africa. After the war he worked in the British Civil Service for a number of years. In March of 1963, Ron moved to Canada with his family. He worked for eighteen years at the Vancouver warehouse of Chrysler Canada from which he retired in 1987.
Ron was a wonderful, dedicated father to Helen and Ruth. When he and his darling Mary married in 1975 he generously made room in his heart for Mary’s three children and loved them as his own. As grandchildren came along, he delighted in each one.
He was a man who loved musical theatre. As a tenor, he was in several musical theatre groups including North Vancouver Community Players, Theatre Under the Stars, Metro Theatre, and Maple Leaf Singers. He performed in many productions including Guys and Dolls, Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
Ron had a love of music and singing, woodworking, and soccer. He was an opinionated cheerleader along the sidelines of his grandchildren’s soccer games!
In 1985, Ron prayed to receive Christ as his saviour after watching a Billy Graham program on television. His life was never the same. His love of singing evolved into a love of worship. He was baptized a few years later at Towers Baptist Church. For the rest of his life he was passionate about prayer, worship, supporting missionaries and the needy, bible study, and sharing the gospel. Even as dementia took its toll in the last decade, he was often found praying or praising.
Ron had a soft heart particularly for children, both those in his family and those around the world. After retiring, Ron was a volunteer for World Vision Canada and would spend hours retrieving donations collected in “Love Loaf” containers throughout the city in hopes of making life better for needy children around the world.
A Memorial to honour Ron will take place Saturday, June 9th at 1pm at Fort Langley Evangelical Free Church (8870 Glover Rd, Fort Langley BC). Refreshments to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the World Vision Canada in Ron’s name is suggested. https://donate.worldvision.ca/products/memory
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Even though Grandpa was not my biological Grandfather, he never treated me any differently. He was a kind and generous person. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to visit him and Mary a few years ago when my husband and I travelled out west. I am grateful that I was able to have this final time with him and my deepest condolences to all of his closest loved ones at this time.