Although Ron’s days were spent teaching, when he left school grounds, the tie came off and the old clothes went on as he headed down to the cottage and Cribbon’s Point. Much of his time was spent prepping his boat for the fishing ahead.  Elbow’s exploits with his friends, on their search for the elusive bluefin tuna, was legendary especially when his boat pulled in the monstrous 1000 pounder.  The papers (including the American Stars and Stripes) led with the story “Antigonish Mayor Lands 1000 Pound Bluefin Tuna” although Ronnie was humbled by the press.

Ron served 15 years as mayor and counsellor of Antigonish revealing his strength of negotiator and compromiser. He was a member of the R.K. Nursing home board for 12 years, served over 25 years on the Building for Youth Committee, four years as a member of the Nova Scotia Police Advisory Committee and also member of the Regional Chairmen’s committee for the Nova Scotia Waste Management program.  Ron was instrumental in the new RCMP office built within the town, the redevelopment and expansion of the Cribbons Point Harbour,  and worked hard for a good deal for the town’s waste management.

One of Ronnie’s interests was politics.  He was President of the Liberal Association for two terms.  Certainly a few highlights for Ron was attending the G7 hosted in Halifax, meeting many of the world leaders of the day,  having a personal meeting in Ottawa with then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien where he presented the PM the book ‘History of Antigonish’ (written by Patrick Walsh), and attending a dinner for the Queen during her 1976 Royal visit.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 60 years Ann Eileen (nee MacGillivray) known to her many friends and family as Nan, who was his strength and resilience during his illness. Also surviving are his four daughters, Ronalda (Gary) Fraser (New Glasgow), Bonita (Carson) Rasmussen (Brampton), Claire (Wayne) Bartlett (Torbay, NL) and Kathleen (Lindy)  MacPherson (Halifax).  Ron was particularly proud of his grandchildren Adam, Sarah, Taylor, Sophie, Nathan, Julia, Maren, Jordan and Owen. Ron’s younger brothers also survive him; Fred (Ottawa) and Hugh (Niagara on the Lake) and Ron was also close with Nan’s surviving family, Jean Hall, John MacGillivray and Rod MacGillivray.

Ronnie was always a kind and generous host, making all visitors feel welcome with a jillick and everyone’s favorite meal, ‘the lobster Cantonese’.  As his mayoral successor commented at Ronnie’s appreciation dinner , “She never heard Ronnie say an unkind word to anyone in all the years he was on council.” The family is grateful to the care he received at the RK MacDonald Nursing Home.

Visitation 2:00-5:00 pm Thursday, July 8, 2021 in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish.  Funeral Mass 1:00 pm Friday in St. Ninian Cathedral Rev. Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.