JOSEPH RONALD (RON) BIGGAR

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOSEPH RONALD (RON) BIGGAR May 17th, 1923 - July 11th, 2006 It is with great sadness, that we announce the passing of Joseph Ronald (Ron) Biggar, beloved husband of Aura (nee Gillespie) on July 11, 2006 at the St. Boniface Hospital. Ron was born on May 17, 1923 in the old Grace Hospital in Winnipeg to Reg and Jean Biggar. He grew up in River Heights and attended Sir John Franklin, Robert H. Smith and Kelvin High Schools. Ron played the violin on Saturday mornings on the radio, as well as in the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra. After the completion of high school, Ron joined the RCAF during wartime and was stationed at Pat Bay, BC, and in Dartmouth, NS. As a Flight Lieutenant, he flew supply planes to support ground troops in India and Burma. Ron had many interesting experiences including a trip to Tibet where he met the Maharaja of Sikkim. After returning home in 1945 at the completion of the war, Ron entered the University of Manitoba taking pre-med courses. He decided that he wanted to be an accountant so he attended the Angus School of Commerce. He worked for his father in the insurance business and then took a job with the Manitoba Telephone System where he worked for the rest of his working days. He held the position of Supervisor of the Accountancy Department. Ron met Aura at a YMCA club in 1948. They were engaged a year later and married, at St. Andrew River Heights on May 13, 1950, the worst day of the flood. They had a house built on Lanark Street where they lived for 43 years. Ron and Aura had four children - David, Judy, Laurie and Nancy. Life was full of excitement with road trips, camping, cottage life at Falcon Lake, church activities and friends. Ron and Aura chose to move in 1992 to a condo and have enjoyed new friendships and an active life ever since. Ron was a member of Westworth United Church and held many positions over the years especially in the AOTS men's group. He also was a member of the Telephone Pioneers, Antique Car Club, Wartime Pilots Association and The Good Old Boys of River Heights. Ron is survived by his wife of 56 years, Aura; his three daughters, Judy (Ken Nicolson) of Kamloops, BC; Laurie (Wayne Bracken) of Winnipeg; and Nancy Pallett of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his only son, David on June 20, 1990. He will lovingly be remembered by his five grandchildren Kathryn and John Bracken, Jennifer and Heather Mathews and their dad Dave, and Mikailey Pallett. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Tufts (Ivan) of Vancouver and by his brother Bill (Leona) of Cochrane, AB as well as four nephews and three nieces. Many thanks to Dr. J. Brian Sharkey for his many years of care and to Riverview Palliative Care, especially Heather. Thanks also go to the many homecare workers that helped to keep Ron home as long as possible. Thanks to the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital 8th floor Palliative Care for your kindness and compassion this past week. A Celebration of Ron's life will be held on Thursday, July 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Westworth United Church, Grosvenor Avenue and Lanark Street with Rev. Mona Denton conducting the service assisted by Rev. Eleanor Geib. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made to The Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Street, Winnipeg, MB, R2L 1X3, The Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7 or a charity of your choice. CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 15, 2006