RONNIE (RON) BILAN

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

• Corporal Bilan was a long standing member of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Band. If I remember this right Ron joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Band in 1988. Later, around 2 years ago he retired from the band and the Armed Forces in general. By this time, and since the passing of his father around 3 years ago Ron had been complaining of not having enough energy for the band. Surprisingly, some of you might not know this but Ron Bilan graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelors Degree in Music in both piano and clarinet. Another fact that's interesting is that in around 1996/97 (can't remember exactly) 'all' members of the Armed Forces Land Element were required to take an infantry training course. Naturally, I was not amused. However, Ron took to it like a shark to a beef cookout. Back then Ron was jogging every morning for at least 1 - 2 hours delivering papers. He was in top physical shape and then some. The climax of this physical foray was a 6 - 8 km rucksack jog. Not a march but an actual 'jog' with all your helmet, rucksack, rifle and other assorted paraphernalia (good times...) Surprisingly, I actually ended up doing reasonably well. However (if I remember his placement correctly) Ron shocked us all and finished with a jaw dropping 5th or 6th out of all of Minto. That includes the Camerons and everyone else in this building! (If anyone remembers anything different please let me know.) Going forward, just this last summer I often got to hang out with Ron again. As it turns out he was actually working out of a place just down the street from me as a truck driver, on Mountain and Fife avenue. I hadn't gotten my Jeep yet so often he would just drop by my IT job and see if I needed a ride home. Naturally, we would sit outside at my place after and have wine and reminisce. He was actually thinking of coming back to our band as a volunteer. He figured he had new energy and I expected to see him back in late spring or even next fall. Certainly, some may remember Ron as someone who kept to himself and/or in particular as one who liked to 'stop and smell the roses.' Often to the detriment of those who were trying to organize our band trips. Over the years I got to see this first hand as he was usually my roommate. Often, I had to make sure he was good-to-go for whatever bus was leaving at the time. Nevertheless, when the chips were down Ron was a good fellow. When the times were tough he would be the first to give you the shirt off his back. When it got tougher he would even offer his pants too. It's not often I've seen this. Corporal Ron Bilan will be missed by us all. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles have lost someone special, Cpl. Pat Holmes - Posted by: Pat Holmes (Friend/Good Buddy) on: Feb 21, 2013

• Ron always called me Mikey. There's not many people I would allow to do that. But with Ron I always knew that he meant it affectionately. I can remember many band trips with Ron including the one to France when Ron was so focused on playing the music he walked right into a paving stone. He had this huge bruise on his shin the size of a watermelon. He just kept on marching. Ron loved a good joke and laughed at mine even though none were good. My condolences to all Ron's family. I will remember him fondly. - Posted by: Mike ForbesCpl(red't) (Felloow memeber of RWR Bamd) on: Feb 18, 2013

• I will always remember Ron as a gentle, yielding person. My thoughts to family. - Posted by: Grant MacMillan (family friend/acquaintance) on: Jan 27, 2013