Obituary of Ronald Garrett Dodds

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DR. RONALD (RON) GARRETT  DODDS

December 9, 1938 – June 11, 2022

“It is a deep mystery, this matter of life and death; that the same person who brought us a thousand joys can one day leave us a thousand tears.”

Ron was born in Dunedin,  New Zealand and as an adventurer immigrated to Canada in 1970.  His intent was to stay for a couple of years and continue his travels around the world ending back in New Zealand.   After several years of teaching at E. C. Drury School for the Deaf, he met the love of his life Peg and married her in 1984.  A joyous union that was to continue for many years.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife Margaret (Peg), his kiwi family, son Warrick (Julie), grandson Nick (Khusla), great granddaughters Lulu and Millie, granddaughter Rebecca (Craig) and great grandson Tom,  daughter Andrea (Chris), grandsons Tim and Jonno, granddaughter Marika; and son Stacey (Sussy) in California. His sister Gaynor and brother Garney (Kate) in New Zealand , and his many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by his parents Thomas and Murtle Dodds, his brothers Evan and Graeme.

Remember him with a smile today; he is not one for tears.

Reflect instead on memories of all the happy years.

The smiles he brought, the way he joked, and the things he said, his strength of character, and his courage, and the way he lived.  Remember these instead.

Think of him as living in the hearts of all he touched.  For nothing loved is ever lost. 

And he was loved so much.

Ron was an avid cyclist, he had a zest for life and a giant joie de vivre.  He was a lover of travel and had a huge number of adventures, travelling the world with Peg, canoeing many years in the northern parts of Ontario with his buddies.  He had a joy of working with wood and made precious items to be used by those he loved.  One was a cedar strip canoe with not a nail in sight!  His athletic prowess continued into his older age, his squash matches, tennis awards, canoeing, cycling, camping all formed this man into who he was. Ron was a seeker of knowledge completing his Doctorate in Special Education in 1982.  He taught Special Education to teachers at York University on weekends.  He was Principal at the School for the Deaf in Milton until he retired in 1998.

His joy of music extended to teaching seniors how to play the ukulele. His beautiful baritone voice resounded in every room and hallway.

Special thanks to the Emergency and ICU staff at St. Marys Hospital for their unending kindness and support.

Cremation has taken place.  Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street S., Waterloo on Wednesday, June 22, 2022  from 2:00 to 4:00pm.  The memorial service will be held in the chapel of the funeral home on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences for the family and donations to Grand River Regional Cancer Centre may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445