October 10, 1940 - August 29, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce Ronald Joseph Coleman of West Kelowna passed away, peacefully and surrounded by his family on August 29th, 2024, aged 83.
Ron was born on 10th October 1940 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, to Horace and Marjorie Coleman, the second oldest of 4 boys. An entrepreneur right from childhood, he started earning money by subcontracting out his various paper routes to his siblings and friends. During his High School years, he worked for Matheson Brothers Construction and upon graduation travelled to Norway House as a foreman, supervising the building of the nurse's residence, where he met a young nurse, Joyce Elaine Stevenson. When Ron moved to Churchill, Joyce followed. Ron and Joyce were married in 1961 and moved to Thompson, Manitoba. There he worked for Malcolm's Construction at the Inco mine site. He later started his own company, Burntwood Construction. Their first child, Kent, then a few years later Heather, were both born in Thompson. Ron and Joyce relocated to Calgary, Alberta in 1972 where their youngest child, Blair, was born. Shortly afterwards he re-established Burntwood Equipment Rentals in Red Deer, Alberta which a few years later, acquired a small construction company called Northside.
Ron was a driven businessman, and Northside Construction grew and became well known via all the various projects in Central Alberta. Ron attributed his success to surrounding himself with good people and loyal employees and greatly valued them throughout the remainder of his life. He repaid their loyalty and hard work with his own, and his kindness and generosity were remarked upon by so many.
Unfortunately, Ron and Joyce's relationship drifted apart, and they officially separated in 2006. He then met Tina Zhang and a new chapter of his life began with him, Tina, and her daughter Tanya moving to West Kelowna, BC in August 2009 as Ron retired and handed over the reigns of Northside Construction to his sons. In West Kelowna he made a new community of friends and settled into life as partner to Tina, stepdad to Tanya and Grandpa Ron to his many grandkids.
Ron loved the great outdoors, starting in his youth with birdwatching and banding birds. Later he would often escape the demands of work by spending time hunting, fishing, or camping. Some of his favorite places were his land down in Pincher Creek, on the water fishing around Sicamous, BC as well as Tofino, Prince Rupert and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A week before he passed away, his heart failing, utterly determined, he went fishing with his buddies Kevin and Jim.
Ron was a driven, generous, outspoken man who could appear rough on the outside but with a soft inside, and a heart of gold. He touched the lives of so many of us. He will be hugely missed and always in our hearts.
At his request there will be no funeral service. The family would like to thank Dr. Covaser for his care, and Dr. Bursey and nurse Leanne for making his last moments so peaceful. A special thank you to Tina for being so kind, caring and by his side for so many years and right to the very end.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.