Obituary of Ronald Thompson
Ronald Thompson, 91, of Kingston, Ontario, passed away on January 26th, 2022 after a long battle with lung disease and heart failure.
Ron was born on June 17th, 1930 to James Edward Thompson and Emily Thompson (Heywood) in Denton, England. As a young man, he was awarded an architectural scholarship, but due to family circumstances was not able to continue with full-time education. Ron served his post-war National Service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). He continued his education (at night) and started his manufacturing career as a lab chemist, but quickly rose up the ranks to be in charge of the lab. He joined a major British chemical company and gradually assumed more and more managerial responsibilities eventually attaining the position of plant manager. During this time, Ron was a key catalyst in the conception and development of the company’s new wallcovering division. In 1971, Ron was offered and accepted the opportunity to join a Canadian coated fabrics company as works manager. After immigrating to Canada, Ron continued to progress up the managerial ranks and eventually presided over manufacturing plants in both Canada and the United States.
While Ron was in the RAF, he met Gwyneth Farthing at a ballroom dance and a few years later, in 1951, they were married. Ron and Gwyneth moved many times over the course of their marriage, initially to Caernarfon, Wales then back to England, first to Flixton then to Charlesworth. Their next big adventure was to emigrate to Canada in 1971. They settled in Ontario, first in Cornwall, then Terra Cotta and finally Kingston. Ron and Gwyneth also enjoyed vacationing in numerous places including throughout the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States; as well as trips to: France, Spain, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Turks and Caicos, India, the Philippines and Hong Kong. However, they remained especially fond of the English Lake District which holds many of their most cherished memories. In 2021, Ron and Gwyneth celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary. Their once-in-a-lifetime love served them well throughout their extremely long marriage which produced two children and then subsequently five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In his youth, Ron was an avid soccer player and he enjoyed playing the accordion. He continued playing soccer into his mid-forties, but supported Manchester United his entire life. He also enjoyed scuba diving, tennis and golf. However, he most enjoyed sailing and owned a variety of sailboats ranging from a small dinghy to a 33 ft yacht. In addition to physical activities, Ron was an ardent reader of both fiction and non-fiction, often reading an entire book in a day.
Throughout his life, Ron wanted to help others. As a young man he belonged to a scuba diving and rescue club. He also participated in four trips for distribution of bed kits to needy children in the Philippines and India.
Ron was “full of life”, in fact, his strong outlook helped him successfully overcome a variety of cancers dating back to 1984. Ron was determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. Indeed, family meant everything to him. Worthy of note are the intricately detailed bed-time stories that he created and elaborated upon for all his grandchildren, which they often talk about, to this day. He was proud of his family and would do anything for them. Ron made many friends throughout his life and had longstanding friendships in England, Canada and the United States.
Ron was predeceased by his parents, James & Emily and his infant brother Eric. He is survived by his wife Gwyneth, children Hilary (Bob) & Nigel (Maureen), grandchildren Jason (Tina), Paula, Geoff (Becca), Alex (Caitlin) & Jessica, great-grandchildren Alex & Ebba, sister Rita (Phil), nephew Ryan and family (Lisa and Emily). Ron was also very close to Gwyneth’s nephew Chris (Liz) and family (Andy & Becky).
The family request that, in lieu of flowers, any donations go to St. Peter’s Anglican Church or Kingston General Hospital (both in Kingston, Ontario, Canada).
A private funeral service will be at James Reid Funeral Home (1900 John Counter Blvd, Kingston, Ontario, Canada) on Saturday, February 12th at 11am EST. However, attendance is very limited and will be by invitation only. Family and friends wishing to watch the funeral service via livestream are invited to please click here.
