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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
CHIDWICK, Ronald Victor - Passed away peacefully at Guelph General Hospital on November 19th, 2023, at the age of 85, our family mentor passed away surrounded by family. Son of Father Stanley Playne, Mother Julia Chidwick (Delorme) and Step Father Frederick Chidwick. He lived a life rich in love, service, and devotion to his family and country. He was predeceased by brothers Fred, Ken, Stanley, and sister Doreen.
Five years ago, through DNA he discovered his biological father Stanley along with six wonderful siblings Allan, Jack, Lynda, Ruth, Jean and Peggy.
Born on August 2,1938, in Midland, Ron enlisted in the Navy at a young age, serving 5 years with honour. In 1961 he joined Local 853 Sprinkler Fitters and was a member for over 60 years. He was inducted into to the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association Hall of fame in 2013. Owned his own Sprinkler business for over 20 years and retired at 72 years of age. He was a dedicated sprinkler fitter for over 50 years.
In 1960, he married the love of his life, Rosalie Chidwick (née Bailey) with whom he shared 63 remarkable years filled with unwavering love, understanding, and support. Together, they raised a beautiful family, leaving behind his four children, Ronald J., Corrie (John), Kim (Kevin), and Rosalie’s son Rick, six Grandchildren Jesse, Christopher, Ryan, Kristen, Vanessa, Adam, Five Foster children, five foster grandchildren and eight beautiful great granddaughters. (Another on the way).
Ronald was known for his kindness, wisdom, and unfailing one liners. His family and friends will forever cherish his stories of adventure and his ability to light up any room with his laughter. He loved sports and was a competitive curler for years. Played mush ball with a hand toss nobody could catch, and a fast tennis serve nobody could return. He loved boating, golf and his John Deere tractor often cutting the grass whether it needed it or not.
He introduced a Deputy Fire Chief to residential fire sprinklers. This gentleman formed a group called Fire Sprinkler Alliance for Everyone and has called Ron a hero for saving hundreds if not thousands of lives because of residential sprinklers.
A Catholic Mass will be held on December 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church, 42 Dawson Rd, Orangeville. Reception following at the Best Western, 7 Buena Vista Dr, Orangeville. Arrangements entrusted to Wall-Custance Funeral Home & Chapel (519-822-0051)
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Princess Margaret (please use link available on the funeral home website) in honour of Ronald’s life and legacy.
Forever in our hearts, dearly missed by all family and friends. (Guelph Today 29 Nov 2023)
A Tribute to Ron
I
am not sure if you know this or not, but during my career at Brampton Fire,
I became a champion of residential fire sprinklers. I was able to convince a
Member of Provincial Parliament to introduce a Private Members Bill into the
House, on four different occasions that, if passed, would have made
residential fire sprinklers mandatory in all new homes in Ontario.
Unfortunately, the Bills were never passed, but they did lead to other
legislation that made people in buildings safer from fire, including the
mandatory installation of fire sprinklers in high rise buildings. During my
career, I became a registered lobbyist promoting residential fire sprinklers
at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Parliament Hill in Ottawa and at the US
Capitol in Washington, DC, where I met two US Vice Presidents and many
Congressmen and Senators. At one point in time, I was extremely honoured to
have been requested to make a two hour presentation to the Canadian Senate
in Ottawa on the value of fire sprinklers. I
formed a group called Fire Sprinkler Alliance For Everyone (FireSAFE©?)
which was highly successful in educating civic leaders, politicians, the
fire service, home builders and developers and the media of the value of
fire sprinklers. Because of that work, I was the first Canadian elected to
the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire and Life Safety
Committee, where I was able to travel all over the US promoting fire
sprinklers. All
of that was because of your Dad. He was the one who introduced me to
residential fire sprinklers in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, for
which I will be eternally grateful. You should be very proud of him, because
although he likely didn’t know it, he was responsible for saving hundreds,
if not thousands of lives. He is in fact, a hero! Again, my condolences to you and your family, and may my good friend, Ron, rest in peace.
By Brian, Deputy Fire Chief, Retired, Brampton, Ontario
Ships served in:
Ron Chidwick and Rosalie Bailey
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