Obituary of Dr. Ronald F. Pace

On Thursday, October 17, 2019, Dr. Ronald F. Pace passed away peacefully & gracefully at the age of 64 at Lisaard House after a fearless battle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife Ellen Pace (Stewart), children Michael (Lesley) Pace, Alison (Graham) Bakelaar and granddaughter. He will also be sadly missed by siblings; Anne Walker (Harry), John Pace (Sheilagh), Mary French-Pace (Roy), Allan Pace (Lin), and Carla Pace as well as his many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ronald was born on March 29, 1955 in London, Ontario to Dr. William and Elisabeth Pace. Ron was an adventurous child, gleefully spending his summers in the Ontario northern woods, embracing all that the Canadian wilderness has to offer. Being a lifelong lover of learning, he graduated from medical school at The University of Western Ontario in 1979, having been granted admission after completing only two years of undergraduate studies. Ron continued to specialize in hepatobiliary surgery and went on to achieve a thriving general surgery practice in Kitchener-Waterloo for 25 years. 

To say that Ron had a passion for his surgical practice is an understatement. He relentlessly dedicated his time to compassionately care for and serve his many patients. Ron always preached, “you have to love what you do”, and the fellow doctors and nurses that surrounded and supported him every day made that an easy mantra to follow.

Ron was a man of many talents.  Besides being a well-respected surgeon, he loved woodworking, skiing, golfing, travelling, red wine, and spending time at his beloved cabin on Kawagama Lake. He was truly one of a kind. Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him, will never forget his boisterous laugh, his adventurous spirit, and his larger than life personality.

A celebration of his colourful life will take place on Saturday, October 26th, 2019, at Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S., Waterloo at 3pm.

The family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the Kitchener-Waterloo Woodworking and Craft Centre or the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, which may be arranged through the funeral home 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com where condolences and tributes may also be shared.  Ron’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, that you plant a white pine tree to keep his north woods spirit alive.