November 19, 1937-
March 24, 2005
Ron's Spirit peacefully slipped the bonds of this earth so he and his dogs could forever hike his much loved hills and trails behind Ladysmith, B.C. after a valiant fight against Mesothelioma, a rare form of asbestos cancer. Never wanting to go into hospital, he died at home with his beloved wife and dogs at his side. Born in London, England, Ron immigrated to his adopted country in 1955 and worked his way West, finally settling in Ladysmith, B.C. Ron worked a variety of jobs in and around Ladysmith including a stint at the Manana Lodge (Page Point Inn). In November 1957, he was hired as a 'nurse' (orderly) at Ladysmith & District General Hospital, but after 2 years of 'nursing' and filling in at maintenance, Ron took over the Head Maintenance position, keys jingling, where he remained for 45 years until retiring (much to his chagrin) in August 2002. Ron joined the Ladysmith Volunteer Fire Department in 1958 and in 1965, he was selected as one of two firemen from Ladysmith to attend the Provincial Civil Defence Rescue Course and was then certified to teach rescue work, thus beginning the Ladysmith Search & Rescue as one of the founding members. During the early sixties, Ron drove the Town of Ladysmith's ambulance and also worked for Bill Grouhel who owned the local Funeral Parlour. Ron retired from the Fire Department in 1967 after suffering a back injury. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and would often hike the woods behind Ladysmith and at Nanaimo Lakes taking anyone who could keep up, with his Redheads by his side. If anything needed fixing, Ron was the man to call, as he could make something from nothing and make it work! Literally a pack rat, it wasn't uncommon for someone to telephone or come over to see if their treasure could be fixed, because he probably had an old part lying around. Survived by his loving wife and best friend of 22 years Leslie Anne and favourite Irish Setter Connor (Winkie); sisters Gillian Croissant, Sylvia Jacobs, brother Vic Davey, nieces and nephews in England, Mum and Dad Monk, brother-in-law David and wife Suzette and niece Montana, sons Gary & Glenn and grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents Ernest and Beatrice and brother Ken. There is such a support group of our friends who have been devastated by our loss. Heartfelt thanks to Dr. & Mrs. Julian Lisinski for going above and beyond in care and support; Daljit S. Dahariwal, W.C.B. Sensitive Claims Section who was there immediately upon diagnosis and remained with us throughout the deadly disease, best buddy sidekick Charlie (Gin) MacDonald who was there at any time of day or night to help Ron around the home; Doug & Elaine Layman for the endless support and patience for all those telephone calls and rides needed; Gary (Ron's hiking Buddy) & Wendy Battie for just knowing the right things to do, when to do it and how; Pat & Bryan Stuart for letting me just babble on when I needed to, and worrying all the while; Gary & Bev Munro for those air conditioned rides to Victoria in the summer of 2004 and open arm support; Peggy Wildsmith for the telephone blitz to let everyone know I was taking time off; Nurses & Staff at LDGH in those times of need; Hillside Clinic Staff when I would call for help; Darlene McIntyre for staying longer than you ever needed to; and Dr. (Farmer) Jim Benoit (Sue) for getting all those trees out of the way before they brought down the power lines.
A celebration of Ron's Life is being held on Friday,
April 1, 2005 at the Eagles Hall in Ladysmith, B.C. between 1 pm and 3 pm. This day will be for Ron's friends and family to gather, reminisce, laugh, and remember the Ron we all loved. Come casual and enjoy! In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted in Ron Davey's name at the Ladysmith Credit Union for the
Tour de Rock or the Irish Setter Club of Canada's Rescue Fund, c/o Barbara Russell, 21248 - 92nd Ave., Langley, B.C. V1M 1L2. The beauty of the trees, the softness off the air,
the fragrance of the grass speaks to me.
The summit of the mountain, the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea, speaks to me.
The faintness of the stars, the freshness of the morning, the dewdrop on the flower, speaks to me
The strength of the fire, the taste of the salmon, the trial of the sun and the life that never goes away,
they speak to me
And my heart soars.
(Chief Dan George)