Bernard Louis (Lou) Ronan

It is with full hearts that we share the passing of Bernard Louis (Lou) Ronan on April 15, 2026 in Ottawa at the age of 87. He died peacefully on his own terms, just as he lived his life.

The oldest of 8 children, he grew up on the family farm near Colgan, Ontario. He began teaching younger than some of his students. He retired in 1990 as a teacher of English and geography at Nicholson Catholic College in Belleville, Ontario. Long after the classroom, he still cited Shakespeare and sometimes wrote poetry.

In "retirement", he was a travel agent and then a valet driver, in line with his passions for new places and people and for any opportunity to drive a car, truck, tractor or boat. He was one of Canada's first Master Instructors in Driver Education, a lifelong vocation.

Over time, he vacationed in eastern Canada, drove west across Canada, sailed in the Caribbean and took the wheel for a year-long family voyage in a camper touring Europe and the north of Africa. His business card captured his approach to life: "A Decent Boldness Ever Meets with Friends".

Wood projects in his workshop, cutting the grass at home, a good book, a cold beer, music, dancing, little kids' smiles and sailing brought him joy. He loved his family. He was incredibly proud of, and constantly amazed by, the adventures and accomplishments of his seven grandchildren.

He struggled late in life with dementia, remaining acutely aware, fierce and determined throughout. To his last days, he made us smile with an ear wiggle or an unexpected zinger.

We are so grateful to Mila and the entire team at MLC Healthcare Services for their warmth, dedication and expertise over the last two years. Thank you to the excellent team at Peter D. Clark Centre for Long-term Care for graciously and respectfully providing the care he needed. We would also like to acknowledge the team at City View Retirement Home whose thoughtfulness and flexibility made his days there as comfortable as possible.

For those who wish, donations welcome to First Book Canada.