RONALD (RON) WILLIAM HURLEY

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RONALD (RON) WILLIAM HURLEY August 20, 1915 - January 9, 2010 Peacefully on Saturday, January 9, 2010, with his daughters by his side, Ron passed away at the Health Sciences Centre at the age of 94 years. Left to cherish Ron's memory are his beloved daughters, Cheryl Pandelis of Henderson, Nevada, Diane Hurley of Winnipeg, Manitoba; grandsons, Marc Hurley (Jodi) of Lexington, Kentucky, Nick Pandelis (Rebecca) of Concord, California, Christopher Pandelis of Henderson, Nevada, Demetrius Pandelis of Henderson, Nevada; granddaughters, Ruth Bryson (Brent Piche) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Kirsten Slusarenko (Patrick) of Oakbank, Manitoba; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Pandelis, Aliyah Hurley, Aidan Piche, Liam Piche, Nyah Slusarenko, Neve Slusarenko; extended family, Diane and Bill Yanciw of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his wife Helen (Young) Hurley (1972); his parents Anne (Turner) and William Hurley; his son-in-law Nick Pandelis (2001). Ron was born and raised in Winnipeg, attended Daniel McIntyre Collegiate Institute where he met his future wife, Helen Young. The high school sweethearts were married in 1940. He was a gifted pianist, comedian, singer and dancer and performed across the city with his band Ron Hurley and the Melodians . He was a Pilot/Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force Special Reserve and proudly flew many missions in Europe during the Second World War. After the war he moved his young family to Brandon, Manitoba where they owned and operated the city's first self-service grocery store. Several years later he joined the Hutchings Company of Winnipeg where he remained employed until his retirement. The family returned to Winnipeg during this period of time. After retirement and the loss of Helen, he spent winters with his elder daughter in Las Vegas, Nevada. He served as a 2/Lieutenant in the Canadian Army Reserve. He was a was a 32nd degree Mason, a member/officer of the Lions Club of Brandon, a member/officer of the Canadian Travelers Association and an elder at Knox United Church in Brandon. Ron had a story, or a joke, or a song for everyone on every occasion. He was extremely proud of his family and remained agile, alert and hilarious until his last day here on earth. In compliance with Ron's wishes no formal Funeral Service will be held. His family will gather to celebrate their amazing dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend with a memorial service and Irish Wake in Winnipeg, August 20, 2010 on what would have been his 95th birthday. Slainte!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2010