Ronald "Ron" Earl Johnson

Ronald Earl Johnson

February 25, 1950 - November 1, 2022

Ron passed away peacefully in a room filled with love at Hamilton General Hospital on Tuesday, November 1st, 2022.  Ron was predeceased by his parents William and Helen May Johnson (nee Chesley), his beautiful sisters Patricia and Nancy, and infant brother Donald.  He will be lovingly remembered by partner Brenda Eagle (Christopher, Amy, and Oliver), son Daniel Morley, daughter Kathleen May (Youko Leclerc-Desjardins), and grandson Madden.  Cherished always by his sister Judy and brothers Bill, Bob, Jim, John, and Terry, his cousin Earl and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He will be sadly missed by many close friends including past partners Debbie Levy and Gayle Franks.  Born in Woodstock, Ontario, Ron was raised by his sister Pat and brother-in-law Sam Keeping and the mark they left on his life is undeniable. He was a graduate of College Avenue Secondary School and McMaster University.  Ron had a gift and talent for the written word and some of his happiest days were spent working for local newspapers. From the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, Ron was a reporter, photojournalist, and Sports Editor for the Midland Times, the Midland Free Press, and Telemedia Community Newspapers throughout North Simcoe County as well as CKMP 1230 AM Radio. In the early 2000s, Ron was Editor of the Clinton County Leader in Plattsburg, Missouri. In 1990, he wrote and published a book, “Go, Vets, Go!” commemorating the history of the Woodstock Navy Vets junior hockey team. Playing, coaching, watching, reading, writing, and talking about sports was a lifelong love for Ron and there was little that happened in the sports world that he didn’t know about. He was active as a youth at the YMCA and playing high school sports, and as an adult enjoyed slo-pitch, golfing with his family, coaching youth basketball, and he was a member of the Midland Athenian Raiders fastball team. He was also active in advocating for the construction of a gym at Regent Public School. Ron had a quick wit and a good sense of humour and enjoyed being able to make people laugh. He also loved live music, travelling, delicious food and drink, and reading good books. While living in Missouri, Ron was proud to co-produce a summer music and arts festival that featured local and national acts. Over the years he called many towns and cities home, but Finkle Street in Woodstock, Russell Street in Midland and Beechwood Drive in Waterloo were certainly home to some of his fondest memories. Ron was most proud to be a father and grandfather. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private gathering will be held at a later date.  The family would like to extend the warmest thanks to the ICU staff at Hamilton General Hospital (especially Jessica) for the compassionate care they provided.  Donations in Ron’s name to The Mark Preece Family House in Hamilton or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Ron’s dearest values of humour, peace, and harmony will live on in those whose lives he touched.

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