Ron loved life on the farm! Whether he was tagging along with his father as a child, helping his mother in his teenage years or just helping out with tractor work. If it had anything to do with farming, Ron was all in.
Ronald Irvine was born Monday, March 30, 1959 in Toronto, Ontario. As a newborn, he was adopted by Irvine and Ilene (Cumming) Stewart. The Stewart family resided and farmed on the 12th of Bruce. In 1963 the family grew again when they adopted Pamela Alice Margaret (born in 1961) and their family was complete. The children attended public school in Underwood, before moving on to high school in Port Elgin. Sadly, it was around this time that tragedy struck the Stewart family as Irvine suffered a severe stroke and died. Ron’s stay in high school was cut short. He quit school to help his mom with the family farm. At this time, the Stewart’s were milking cows, but also had pigs and chickens. In 1982 the farm was sold. After selling the farm, Ilene and Ron moved just up the road. Ron did some custom baling and other farm tasks for neighbouring farmers. It wasn’t long afterwards that Ron started working for Lynn Caldwell on his farms. He enjoyed working outside, caring for the animals, helping with planting and harvesting the crops. He worked hard, often helping out others when he could.
When not farming, Ron enjoyed snowmobiling in his younger years. He also was involved with the Bruce County Heritage Association. He was very proud of his diecast toy collection, enjoyed watching T.V. when he had the chance and always took time on Sundays to call his baby sister Pam. They could talk for hours. He would never show his emotions, so Pam says, but was always there for her. As you are probably quite aware, Ron was a quiet man, liking to keep to himself and enjoyed the simpler things in life. He could also come across as “bull headed,” just ask his sister. However, isn’t it true that we all display these tendencies at different points of our lives.
Ron lived out his days in the Paisley area, never venturing far, surrounded by his close friends and neighbours.
Sadly, Ron passed away, while doing what he loved, farming on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in his 60th year.
Dear brother of Pam (Jim) Gerhardt of Flesherton. Ron will be fondly remembered by all his cousins and his close friends. He was predeceased by his nephew Janson Allen and his parents Irvine and Ilene (Cumming) Stewart.
Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at Douglas Hill Cemetery on Saturday, August 11, 2018. An informal, come and go celebration of Ron’s Life will follow at The Bruce County Heritage Farm (89 Concession 2A, Paisley) from 2 – 4 p.m.
Memorial donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
