RONALD NICHOLAS OSWALD

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RONALD NICHOLAS OSWALD Ron, life partner of Pam, and beloved father of Gillian and Craig passed on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the age of 56, in his home. Ron was a north end guy and lived his entire life in Winnipeg. Ron's love of music emerged as a young man and he spent several of his early years as a musician performing with his bands, the Pawn Brokers and Solar Rift Orchestra. Music was part of who Ron was and his significant collection ranged from classical and opera, to blues and rock, to folk all the way to death metal! He was thrilled that his son Craig was active in choir in his school years and since, and that his daughter Gillian, like her dad, was in a rock and roll band of her own. Ron qualified as a Certified Management Accountant, and later as a Certified Fraud Examiner, and had an interesting and diversified career. He had a great laugh recently when he received a note from his old pals at the Liquor Board reminding him of his legendary status there. He felt his most significant contribution was at the Office of The Auditor General where he spent most of his career. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award on September 24, 2007 by the OAG, and was touched and gratified by the encouragement and support of his colleagues there over the past months. For all his hours spent at his career, he contributed equal hours in volunteer service. He served in significant positions for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba (including president), and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. In 1993, Ron was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in recognition of Ron's significant contribution to his community and fellow Canadians . He was also active with the Hospice Society of Manitoba and the West End Cultural Centre. Everyone who knew Ron knew his passion for the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and that the festival was his marker for each new year. His new year's eve was the final 3 songs always ending the festival. In addition to the music, he loved helping things work behind the scenes and hanging with his FF buddy Dan. On September 20, 2007, Ron received the Stained Glass Banjo Award, the Festival's highest recognition as an extraordinary friend of the Winnipeg Folk Festival . Ron wanted to make sure that his children and his pals, especially Brenda and Rob and Terry and Penny, and all his friends and colleagues knew how thankful he was for their love and friendship. He was appreciative of the kindness of the health care professionals who helped him, most especially Dr. Kelly Kaita and Dr. Susan Hauch. Ron was a good man who gave his very best every day while he was living and while he was dying. He was a man who was loved, and who will be remembered kindly. The Ron Oswald Fund for Young Performers has been established, with Ron's blessing of his family's wishes, as an ongoing living tribute to remember and honour Ron. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ron Oswald Fund for Young Performers, Winnipeg Folk Festival, 203-211 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg MB, R3B 3P2. A celebration of Ron's life will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2007 at St. Chad's Anglican Church, 3390 Portage Avenue, with the Reverend Gordon Shields officiating. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474 condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2007