RONAN; William Fergus
On Monday November 3rd, 2014 Bill passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at Simcoe Manor in Beeton, Ontario in his 89th year. He farmed in Colgan on the 7th Concession of Adjala with his wife Frances and their seven children. In 1982 Bill and Frances retired from farming and moved to Alliston, where Bill worked for many more years at the Nottawasaga Golf Club as a greens keeper until he officially retired at the age of 80. He will always be remembered for his love of farming and a hard work ethic. Bill was a man who taught his family that through faith and hard work they too would have a good life.
Bill will be loved and missed by his wife of 63 years Anna Frances (nee Mahoney) and also by his seven children, Paul (Dina), Hugh (Cathy), Sheila (Jerry), Marc (Sarah), Rose Marie (Hugh), Sean (Mary Jane) and Mary Catherine (Mike).
He enjoyed spending time with his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren; Renee (Mark) Logan and Raine, Adrian (Pawel), Scott, Rosemarie (Justin) Cierra and Ronan, Jeralee, Britton (Jen), Mitchell, Lauren, Maighan, Abigail, Olivia, Justin (Kristine), Seanesta, Ben, Jack, Jacob, Erik, Tarah and Sean.
Lovingly remembered by his Godchildren Bill deGrosbois, Kathleen Woods, Ken Lynch, Doug Ronan and many other nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sisters Marie deGrosbois, Rita deGrosbois and Brothers Hugh,and Fr. E.X. Ronan and brothers in law Paul deGrosbois, Ron Woods, Roland deGrosbois and sister in law MaryLou Ronan and Godchild Fran Moran.
Friends and Relatives may call at Rod Abrams Funeral Home, 1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham, 905-936-3477 on Thursday November 6th, 2014 from 2-5 and 6-9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St James Parish Colgan, 11:00 am Friday November 7th, 2014 with interment to follow in St. James Cemetery, Colgan. A time of fellowship, refreshment and eulogies will follow in St. James Parish Hall, Colgan. Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Simcoe Manor, 5988 8th Line, Beeton, L0G 1A0 or St. Michael’s Choir school (www.smcs.on.ca) would be appreciated by the family. www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com
Cliff McFarlane says
My thoughts and prayers are with you Marc and Family, at this sad time, as we had recently just talked about our “Dads”, and what they taught us in life….
Mike and Anne Sledz says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Bill left you all with wonderful memories, and a shining example to follow.
John de Grosbois says
To my dear cousins Paul, Hugh, Sheila, Marc, Rose Marie, Sean and Mary Catherine: I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father Bill. I send my condolences to each of you and to your families. I wish that I could have attended the funeral but I am overseas and not able to come. It is hard to part with a beloved parent. In our lives we meet and interact with so many people, yet only a few stand out as being truly humble, and of high integrity and sincerity. Your father was one such person. A very special man. I wish I could be more like him. His goodness is in all of you.
Dear Aunt Frances: my thoughts and prayers and sympathies are with you. May the good Lord himself console you.
Jeannette & Jim Ferrie says
Mary Catherine & Family, I was very sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. Please know that our thoughts are prayers are being sent to you & your family at this very sad time. I know how special your Dad was to you, just by the way you often spoke about him when I was in the salon. Jeannette xo
Rocky & Connie Mezzone says
Frances and Family,
Our prayers and thoughts are with the family. We have fond memories of Bill and the Ronan Farm. We are sadden to hear of your loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Doug Hilmer says
Many prayers for the whole family. I remember well working with Bill at Henry Carr Farm, with the horses, in the fields and making maple syrup. A good friend and man.
Rest in Peace Bill.
Don and Marilyn Jacobs says
Sincere condolences.
Teresa de Grosbois says
My prayers and thoughts are with you all and I so wish I could be there to cry with you. He was a wonderful Uncle and good man.
Chris Ziemski says
Paul my most deepest and sincere sympathies go out to your and your family. Your OPA family is truly saddened to hear of your loss and we wish you all the love and support the good Lord may provide you for comfort at this time.
Doug Ronan says
I have many fond memories of Uncle Bill – great times at the beautiful family farm, the house on Douglas Dr in Alliston, and their condo in Alliston. Bill was a very hard working, genuine, decent human being – all his family should be so proud of who he was – probably almost as proud as he was of all of you!!
Cristina Peelar says
I am truly sorry for your loss. Mary Catherine I will always remember your Dad bringing your Mom into the salon every Sat morning. He was an amazing man and a smile to never be forgotten. Hugs to all.
Catherine and Michael Lynch says
To all the Ronan Family, May it help in some way to know that friends are sharing the sorrow in your heart. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathleen Woods says
To dear Aunt Frances and all my Ronan cousins …… Seems like yesterday we were little and I have such warm memories of following Uncle Bill around the barn and out to the field to bring in the cows. It was a special place for us to visit and Bill was a big part of that – so patient and kind (unless we did something really dumb – which I recall we did once in a while). I send you all my warmest thoughts and condolences. Someone give Frances a big hug for me – I wish I could be there with you all.
Love Kurny
Sharon Duggan&Peter Shmagola says
To all the Ronan family:
Thinking of you all and sending our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your Dad.
Peter & Sharon
Nancy Bradd says
Dear Paul: My sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. He was blessed to have had the love of his wife for so many years, and the love and support of all his children. He sounds like he was quite the guy! May the many wonderful memories you have of your dad carry you through the difficult days ahead.
Nancy Bradd
Janet Elliott says
To Paul, Dina and the Ronan family – there is nothing more sad or glorious than the changing of generations. Your dad will live on in your large family and you will continually see a glimpse of him in your children and grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless. Janet Elliott
Marilyn Hatfield says
To Marc and the Ronan Family…So very sorry to hear of your loss, your Father was an amazing man, he always had a smile!! Thoughts and prayers are with the Ronan family.
Denis McCarroll says
Sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. It is never easy. It’s never easy. May your memories of Bill help you find peace during this difficult time.
Denis McCarroll
& daughter Mary-Elizabeth
George and Jane Jackson says
Our condolences to you Frances and your family. We had some fun times and they are good memories for us. You are in our prayers.
Darlene MacIsaac says
To the Ronan Family, so sorry to hear about your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time !!
MacIsaac Family
Mike Myatt says
To Paul and the Ronan Family….Paul, I am very sorry to hear of your loss and please take solitude in knowing that your friends and colleagues from the Ontario Parks Association are thinking of you and your entire family during this very difficult time. Mike Myatt OPA Treasurer
Bob and Julie Eagan says
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Marj Daniels says
Dear Marc and Family: We are so sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you at this time, may you feel God’s arms wrapped around you giving you his peace. Paul and Marj Daniels
Tom and Tracy Jackson says
Mrs Ronan our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deborah Donnelly says
Dear Frances & Family:
My sincere condolences to you and family at this difficult time. I have missed seeing yours and Bill’s smiling faces when you attended St. Paul’s Parish when you lived in Alliston. We will remember Bill in our prayers here at St. Paul’s.
Blessings,
Deborah Donnelly
Mary and Mac Hetherington says
Dear Frances & Family
Our prayers are with you at this time. Bill was the embodiment of the term ‘gentleman’ and it was an honour to have met him and be your neighbours on Douglas Drive.
Mary & Mac Hetherington
Chris & Janet Bergin says
Our condolences and prayers are with the Ronan family at this time. Bill was a great man and it was a pleasure to know him.
Pete & Joanne Duggan & Family says
Sorry to hear about Mr. Ronan. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron & Daphne Robinson says
It is with great sorrow we hear of your loss. Please take comfort in family and friends as he will always be with you in your hearts. You will always have the wonderful memories of him to keep his spirit alive. Our deepest condolences to the family. Thinking of you all. xoxo Ron and Daphne Robinson
Mary D'Ilario says
With our condolences, and many loving memories of Uncle Bill. He was such a warm and genuine man, I’ll always remember the twinkle in his eyes.
Hugs to all of you,
Love,
Mary, Rob, Dan and Jamie
xoxo
Bernard & Darlene Giehler says
“What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” -Helen Keller
Our heart felt condolences to his large wonderful family XOX