Ron Lewis
Ronald Edward Evan Lewis, born in Canmore on December 19, 1946, died
peacefully at his home in Canmore early in the morning of June 24, 2021. He
leaves his wife Leslie, his daughter Rachel (Jason Leslie), his son Evan (Anna
Krahotin), Evan’s children Dmitriy, Kseniya, and Yana, his brothers Earl and Victor,
and his sister Andrena; he was predeceased by his brother Craig.
After receiving his degree in engineering from the University of British Columbia in
1967 (where he met Leslie), Ron moved east to work for Ontario Hydro. He worked
at the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant and was manager of the Nuclear Power
Demonstration in Rolphton, Ont., and the Bruce B Nuclear Power Plant at Tiverton,
Ont. Safety – both nuclear and workplace – was the most important thing to him,
next to the care of the people who worked with him. He retired from Hydro in
1999 as Director of Nuclear Safety.
The following years were full of travel – including living for a year in Turkey – and
service to his communities. He worked through Rotary in particular, being
president first in Creston, BC and later in Canmore, and taking on many other jobs
for those clubs. He had several leadership roles with St. Michael’s Anglican
church, found ways to help the Town of Canmore, and enjoyed solving the world’s
problems with the Georgetown Institute.
Music was always dear to Ron, who was raised surrounded by his father Vic’s
playing. He discovered choir singing in the 1980s in Deep River, and needed to be
in a choir wherever he lived after that. After retiring he learned to play the cello,
and found real joy playing with Canmore’s Poco Rit chamber music group. He
delighted in his children’s and grandchildren’s musical gifts.
To quote his friend Jim Millard, “Ron was a mentor to many who enjoyed his quick
wit, knowledge of useless facts, and his ability to use words effectively and
positively. As much as we will miss him and his winsome charm, his legacy lives
on with each of us who have been fortunate to spend time with this master of
kindness.”
The family would like to thank Dr. Brandon Hone and the army of skilled
specialists and medical care-givers he summoned; the Canmore Hospital
Community Care group for the exceptional, tireless care Ron received; Valentina
at Medic Comforts; the pharmacists at Save-On Foods; and the EMS workers who
patiently picked him up when he fell. Leslie particularly appreciates the kindness
she is receiving from the staff and residents of Origin at Spring Creek.
In memory of Ron, his family would appreciate gifts to the Canmore Rotary Club
Charitable Foundation through Canada Helps:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/t/63253
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date
