RONALD TIMOTHY GROUCHY (RON)

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RONALD TIMOTHY GROUCHY
December 15, 1951 – March 27, 2022

On December 15, 1951, Ronald Timothy Grouchy made his entrance into this world. He was the second son of Bob and Olga Grouchy, and had three brothers and one sister. Ron called the vibrant and colourful (much like himself) port city of St. John's, Newfoundland, his home for the first 16 years of his life. The Grouchy home was filled with chatter, laughter and music. (His mom used to sing with an orchestra), and his parents loved to entertain, hosting many parties, with the children peeking through the banister on the stairs way past their bedtimes.
Ron attended an all-boys Catholic school (St. Bonaventure's College, commonly called St. Bon's), and summers were spent at the family's summer home on Conception Bay. Ron enjoyed swimming, boating, (parents were members of the yacht club) and fishing. He had many friends, a great sense of humour, and even at a young age, Ron was the life of a party.
The family moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1967, where Ron attended high school and college, and upon graduation, went into Hotel Management. This career took him to many places, including five years in Bermuda, providing many interesting tales of famous (and some infamous) people he came to know. Ron excelled in all his endeavours.
Ron enjoyed going to the cottage when he could and spent many hours fishing with his Dad - they had a great bond together.
After a number of years, Ron decided it was time to step away from the all-consuming hotel industry and into entrepreneurship and sales, which he found himself particularly suited to. A new career in publishing and printing brought him to Winnipeg on a business trip...and a chance meeting with Evelyn Nickel, changing both of their lives and beginning their 21 year love affair. Well, who could resist this charming, gentle, (but very persistent) man, with a gleam in his blue eyes and a joie de vive?
A long-distance courtship of almost a year would bring Ron from Toronto to Winnipeg, and a whole new life with the love of his life. Ron was a generous man who gave freely of himself...whether fundraising for a healthcare facility or foundation, a charitable organization, to lend a hand to a friend in need of assistance or support, stain a deck, help pack and move, mow a lawn, or just to talk to, he was your man.
Ron lived and loved with spirit, always with a smile, a twinkle in his eye, and his infectious laugh. He had an incredible ability to connect with people, and as a friend recently shared, "Ron often left everyone better than he had found them". Though Ev was the centre of his universe, and he hers, they both so loved to spend time with their beloved family members and amazing friends. Travels abroad, or just in the neighbourhood, walks on the beach (seaside or lakeside), sing-songs around a fire or a table, outings to the lake, the golf course, to the park or the forest, hosting many a dinner party or BBQ, out on the dance floor, at the theatre, occasional opera or concert, play days and sleepovers with the grandchildren, and times spent with Marley, his much beloved grandpuppy. Life was full and oh so embraced...leaving many memories to cherish.
Ron was presented with a diagnosis of Stage 4 Cancer this past year, treatable but not curable. He and Ev took on this last journey together with great spirit and courage, as they had all others. On this one, however, they were never alone. A truly amazing circle of family and friends journeyed with them until Ron had to take his leave of this world, all too soon, and unexpectedly, on March 27, 2022, as Ev held his hand and his stepdaughters, sons-in-law and Marley stood by.
There are many extended family, good friends and colleagues left now to mourn this irreplaceable man, but especially Ev, his three siblings and their families: sister Linda (Dave) Parrott; brothers, Bob (Anne) Grouchy; and John (Rhonda) Grouchy, whose late evening calls were so treasured; his stepdaughters and families, Kristin (Mike and Marley) Ludwick; Kathryn/Kat (Steve, grandchildren, Penelope and Fox) Payne; nephew, niece and grandnieces, Dave (Nicole, Eloise and Anna) Chipman; nephew and grandnieces, Art (Katelyn and Emma) Chipman; sister-in-law Marilyn (John) Rae; and our almost daily partners, Bob and Ginny Filuk, Brian Oleson and Joanne Gudmundson, and Lesli Trottier.
Thank you to Dr. Patricia Harris, Leslie, Andrea and team at CancerCare Manitoba/Grace Hospital Oncology for their amazing care, regard and support for both Ron and Ev over this past year. To Dr. Mighty, the nursing and care team on 4 South (Surgery) Grace Hospital for their care and kindness during Ron's (unexpected) last few weeks of life. A special note of gratitude and affection to Dr. Previn Mehta, Ron's physician over the past 20 years, for his exceptional care, ongoing and unwavering support, and his friendship. Truly a good doctor, but even more valued, a good man.
In keeping with Ron's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ron's life has been planned, and will be held at the end of June, by invitation, for close family and friends.
Should you wish to honour Ron's memory, a donation in his name can be made to CancerCare Manitoba or The Grace Hospital Foundation.

"Think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched...
for nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much."

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 04, 2022