Obituary of Gerald Roney

RONEY, GERALD VANLUVEN FRANCIS, P.Eng., U.E. 1931-2020 Gerry passed away peacefully on January 25th. He was the son of Gerald VanLuven Roney Sr. P.Eng. and Kathleen Cecelia (McNamee) Roney, and brother of Gordon Frederick and Adam William, both of whom predeceased him. He attended high school in Westmount QC, graduated from Queen’s with honours, and while a student there, married his beloved wife of sixty years, Marian Joan (MacMillan) Roney. Nine months and two weeks later, the loving pair was joined by Michael Douglas P.Eng. (Sandy), and in quick succession, Stephen Kent (Vaneza), the late Gerald VanLuven III, Diana Susan (Gerard Gaudet), and finally, Christopher David P.Eng. (Tammy). Gerry is survived by grandchildren Liam Mannion P.Eng., Emily Caitlin P.Eng., Christopher David Jr. CD (Amanda), Sarah Kathleen RD, Francis Bernard, and Maryanne Clare -- Roneys all. Gerry was a noted Structural Engineer who, throughout his 63-year career, designed the structures for hundreds of buildings locally, from coast to coast, and in the Far North. During his lengthy career, Gerry served as CEO of Leeds Bridge & Iron Works, before founding his structural consulting firm, Roney Engineering, now capably carried on by Chris. As a youth he was deeply involved in photography; his hobby since has been his devotion to his family’s summer compound in the Thousand Islands. In his spare time, Mr. Roney served as Chairman of the Kingston and District Housing Authority, was President of the Kingston-Frontenac and the Gananoque Rotary Clubs, sat on the board of the Memorial Centre, was Lighting Director for numerous Domino Theatre productions, spent twenty years as treasurer of the Kingston & District Branch of the United Empire Loyalists, leader of the “Wets” in the 1959 Gananoque Liquor Vote, and, as Second Right Honourable Lord of the Admiralty of the Thousand Islands, conceived the successful idea of that organization constructing, in the heart of the Islands, a statue of St. Lawrence. Gerry favoured the popular Big Band and featured vocalist music of the Forties; he performed on the Hammond organ and the accordion – to a limited extent. He fancied Collie dogs, and had owned several. Visitation will be held at James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston) on Thursday, January 30 from 6 - 8 pm. The funeral liturgy is 2 pm on Friday, January 31 in the James Reid Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of donations, please raise a glass in his honour.