Obituary of Ronald Park

The death of Ronald Park occurred at the Saint John Regional Hospital on November 12, 2005 after a brief period of failing health. Ron had lived for the past two years at the Chateau de Champlain, Saint John, NB, where he made many new friends and re-acquainted himself with many old friends. He faithfully visited his wife at her nearby nursing home several times a week and, when his beloved Patricia died on August 23rd, he told us clearly that he had no reason to continue living. Ron was born in Wolverhampton, England on June 30th 1917 to George Atkinson Park and Lillian Georgina Welch. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1939 when war broke out. He was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales in 1947 and emigrated to Canada with his wife and daughter later that year. Ron was very well known as Comptroller and Commissioner of Finance for the City of Saint John from 1954 until his retirement in 1982. He was recognized internationally as an expert in municipal finance and municipal bonds. Ron gave to his children his strong work ethic and his belief that we are always obliged to be our best, for ourselves, for our families and for our community. The work that he did with his church, his volunteer activities (Protestant Orphans Children's Foundation, United Way of Greater Saint John and numerous others, some of which we never knew about) reflected his quiet philosophy of community service. Ron will be missed for his sincere and loving interest in his family and friends, and his enthusiasm for people in general. He loved to meet new people, was always happy to encounter friends he knew, and was genuinely interested in everyone he met. He had a prodigious memory for every detail of their stories and their lives. Even as he moved to Palliative Care on November 5th, he was thrilled to have a favourite neighbour in to visit and share with him memories of their old neighbourhood in Quinton Heights. He loved that neighbourhood and had so many friends there, old and new, over the 55 years he had lived there. He was ready to leave this world; his family had been with him much of the time in his last few days. Friends had been visiting him. He was delighted to see them all. He was at peace. Ron is survived by his daughter, Judith (Dr. Gerald) Stiles of Saint John; son, Ian (Claudine Lowry); grandson Nigel (Jolene) Park of Dartmouth, NS; sister, Gertrude Park of Much Wenlock, Shropshire; brother, Cyril (Coleen) of Dolwyddelan, Wales; and niece, Susan Castle-Smith (Mark) of Dorset, England; also by Brian (Judy) Park, Pitlochry, Scotland. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506) 634-7424. At Ron's request, there will not be any visiting at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held from The Church of the Good Shepherd, 668 Manawagonish Road, Saint John on Thursday, November 17, 2005 at 11 am, following which the family will be pleased to welcome Ron's friends at the church. Remembrances made to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.