Monday, February 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
Hutchinson, Ronny
RONNY (RON) JOHN HUTCHINSON of Warner, beloved husband of Louise, father to Marni Hutchinson (Kyle Girard) of Okotoks, Celeste (David) Small of Okotoks, Shaun (Brianne) Hutchinson of Lethbridge, and grandpa to Wyatt Small, passed away at St. Michael's Health Centre, on February 18, 2016 at the age of 69 years.
RONNY (RON) JOHN HUTCHINSON of Warner, beloved husband of Louise, father to Marni Hutchinson (Kyle Girard) of Okotoks, Celeste (David) Small of Okotoks, Shaun (Brianne) Hutchinson of Lethbridge, and grandpa to Wyatt Small, passed away at St. Michael's Health Centre, on February 18, 2016 at the age of 69 years.
Ron is fondly remembered by his brothers Jerald (Leigh) Hutchinson and Lynden (Phyllis) Hutchinson, his twin sister Conny Schipper (Jim Fisher), sister-in-law Rosey Mueller, brothers-in-law Barry (Irene) Kirkham and Ed Neimann, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and his two Costa Rican 'daughters'.
Ron was predeceased by his parents Jack and Verlyn Hutchinson, nephew Danny Hutchinson, brothers-in-law Pieter Schipper and Doug Mueller, and sister-in-law Susan Neimann.
Ron was raised on the family farm east of Warner and attended grades one to 12 at the Warner School. He had a great love of basketball, playing through high school, at Mount Royal College, with the Doug's Sports Men's team, and at the University of Lethbridge (U of L). Ron met Louise Kirkham at the U of L in 1968, and they were married in 1971.
Ron had a love of business that started while working for the Bank of Nova Scotia and eventually led to working for the Industrial Acceptance Corporation (IAC). He excelled with IAC, which gave him the opportunity to work in Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer and Dawson Creek.
Ron's work in the business world took Ron and Louise to Dawson Creek, where they began their life and adventures together before returning to the family farm in 1975. Here they raised their three children and Ron successfully farmed for 34 years.
Ron worked tirelessly, volunteering in the community. He helped build and maintain the Warner Curling Rink, coached both boys' and girls' high school basketball, and sat on the Warner Senior Citizens' Housing Committee. He had a great time planning the annual MJ memorial golf tournament for many years, which raised funds for cancer. Ron was also a lifetime member of the Warner Elks Club and served as Exalted Ruler for two terms.
In 2001, Ron and Louise moved to Lethbridge, although Ron continued to farm until his retirement in 2009.Following that, Ron and Louise pursued their love of travel, wintering in Phoenix where they met many great friends, and visiting countries in 6 of the 7 continents in the world. A personal favourite of Ron's was the great pyramids of Egypt.
Family was very important to Ron, and he ensured his family spent many summers at his brother Jerald's cabin in Kalispell and took the family on annual trips to Kelowna with the Kirkham clan. There were also many family adventures that helped instil a love of travel in his kids, including a trip of a lifetime to Disney World and the Bahamas, ski trips to Whitefish, and many camping trips to Elk Water and Waterton. The most recent family trip was to Costa Rica in 2009 to celebrate his retirement and the sale of the family farm.
Ron was an avid sportsman with a love of hunting, curling, pickle ball and golf. The Wrentham Curling Bonspiel was an annual highlight for nearly 30 years. Upon moving to Lethbridge in 2001, golf became his passion, with many close friendships being formed at the Country Club. Ron's love of curling and golf also led him to volunteer with major golf and curling events such as the Scottie Tournament of Hearts and the Canadian Ladies' and Mens' Amateur Golf Tournaments.
Ron was generous to a fault, and a true gentleman. He had a great sense of humour, made friends wherever he went, and was always one to speak his mind. He loved people and accepted everyone without judgement. His character, as well as his love of family and friends, shone through in everything he did. He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at MCKILLOP UNITED CHURCH, 2329 - 15 Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB., on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Trevor Potter officiating.
A Private Family Inurnment will be held in the Warner Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2M7, the Warner Ag Society, PO Box 431, Warner, AB, T0K 2L0, the Warner Cemetery Improvement Association, c/o Lynette Entzminger, Box 223, Warner, AB, T0K 2L0 or the St. Michael's Health Centre, Palliative Care Unit, 1400 - 9th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4V5.
Guestbook (27)
Share a memory or send a tribute in memory of Ronny.
Dear Louise and family We were so very sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Phyllis and Lynden: I was so sorry to read of Ron's passing. I am sorry I did not know him in the last 40 years, but remember his great smile from our younger days.
Louise and family So sorry to hear about our RJ. Although we may not see each other often the memories I have with you all are still strong. Please know that you have been in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Here's hoping that he is having a cold one with MJ! Take care. Jeff, Jill and family
I was terribly saddened to hear of Ron's passing....condolences to everyone that knew him.... especially his family....sigh Sincerely, Cynthia Mansfield
I am very sorry to have heard of your loss. Ron was always a joy to have a chat and a beer with around the many curling clubs that I ran into him often over the years and he will be missed by many. He also taught many, including myself, a good lesson or two about the game of curling that will always be a part of him remembered.
Dear Louise and family Please accept our sincere condolences from both of us on the passing of your precious husband and father. Our prayer is that God will grant you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Mom Louise, all our family is with you. Ron was an excellent person we will miss him so much. My condolences and love to all of you.
Always wanted to be able to out drive Ron on the 6th fairway at Waterton during our annual get together. Will remember him fondly next time I tee up. My sincere condolences to Louise and family.
We are so very sorry to hear of your loss of Ron. Our thoughts are with the family at this time, hugs to all
Louise..we were so sorry to hear about Ron's untimely passing. We are lifting you and your family up in prayer at this difficult time. Don and Dilene Sorochan
Sorry about my friend Hutch.Remembering when we all met in Dawson.we all had nothing but each other &fun..How our friendship with our group never wavered.Thinking of you and your family.Love to all.
The Milk River-Warner rivalries of many years ago bring back fond memories of basketball and curling games played against Ronny. He was always such a great sport and gentleman. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers as we send our condolences with the passing of Ronny.
Louise, I am thinking of you and your family at this time of huge loss. I will remember our time at the Southern Alberta Golf tournament when chatting with Ron about your great golf shots. They weren't good enough in your estimation! So sorry that your life has changed in ways I can't even imagine.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May the memories you have help in ease the pain
The more you got to know Ron Hutchinson, the more you liked him. And the more you liked him, the more you realized that he had become a part of your life, a part you wish had remained on this earth to share one more laugh, one more round of golf, one more episode of "Mrs. Brown's Boys". We will all miss Ron so much, but the big hole in his family's life now that such a strong, kind, and protective presence is gone will one day be filled with happy memories of a wonderful father and husband. Ron's heart was big, big enough to comfort all who loved him, big enough to reach us all from heaven.
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR OF RON,S PASSING.MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS SAD TIME.
It has been a privilege to know Ron. The years we spent, raising our kids, together and traveling for basketball were cherished ones. We are thankful for them, we reminisce about them, often and we are honored to have shared those times, with him. He will never be far from our thoughts or our hearts.
We wish we had words to tell you how sorry we are but we are thankful that Ron is no longer suffering and in pain. We know that the love you have for Ron and the love he had for you and his family will carry you through these days ahead. We know that memories truly keep your loved one in your hearts forever. Love Always from Gene and Melva
Our thoughts are with you all. Ronny was a great person and will be missed by all who knew him, lots of memories of his warm smile and his love of life!
Dearest Louise and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with at this time.
So very sorry for your loss Louise and family. Ron was such a wonderful husband , Father and Grandfather. His smiling face will always be remembered. We are away on a buying trip so unable to attend the ceremony. We will be there in spirit and send our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Louise, I am so sorry. I have wonderful memories of Ron having a beer at the cottage, and of course the great golf tournament. Best golf coach I ever had. My thoughts have been with you since the news of Ron's cancer, and they continue to be with you and your family. Brenda
Louise and Family, I am so fortunate to have known Ron. His wonderful smile and zest for life were inspirational. May happy memories ease the pain of his loss. His pain and suffering are no more. We have another angel watching over us. God give you his peace. My condolences and love to you all. Diane
We are so sorry about Ron and will miss him dearly. Ron was always fun to be around and a great all around person. Our Tuesday golf group won't be the same without him.
We are so very sorry to hear of Ronny's passing. The many bird hunting ventures, the wonderful bird "tales", the "annual hug", all wonderful memories shared with a good friend. Rest in peace dear friend, we will miss you.