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JOSEPH LOUIS RONALD NOBESS
Born: Jun 16, 1937
Date of Passing: Dec 28, 2022
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
JOSEPH LOUIS RONALD NOBESS
June 16, 1937 - December 28, 2022
Ron Nobess, born in Lake Francis, Manitoba, 85 years old, sadly left us on December 28, 2022.
An important part of his connection to his Métis heritage was Michif, his first language, of which he was very proud.
Ron is survived by his beautiful wife of 65 years, Jean; his four children, Renée (Brendan) McGurry, Rick (Val), Michael and Derek (foster parent Marlon Anderson and son Wyatt); grandchildren, Matthew (Mercedes), Cara (Ariel), Kyle (Nicole), Danielle (Janelle), Jesse and great-grandchildren, Dulio, Barbie, Isaac and Miguel; special niece Roslyn King; close friends, Anne Johnson and Terry Macyk, plus numerous extended family members.
Ron was predeceased by baby sister Rita in 1932; mother Pearl in 1941; grandparents who raised him, Rose and David Nobess; father Louis; brother Rod; sisters, Pearl King and Rhoda Ehlert.
Ron was so very proud of his family. He often boasted about their achievements and how they have all become such good people, choosing careers that focused on service to others. Countless memories were created in hockey rinks and during family gatherings that included games nights, Hockey Night in Canada, birthday or Christmas celebrations and stories of the Métis trickster 'Ti-Jean' around campfires.
Ron's youngest son Derek was born with autism which was relatively unknown in 1967. During Derek's younger years, the family fought to find him the support he needed. Ron always gave credit to Derek for blazing a trail for change for all persons with special needs. In 1995, unable to find proper support for Derek, Ron and Jean, along with ACL Manitoba, friends and family, founded an agency called Arcane Horizon that would support Derek and other adults with an intellectual disability. Ron chose the name Arcane Horizon because to him it represented a solution (Horizon) and a mystery (Arcane). The family started the agency with one house for Derek, on Queenston Street. Today, 27 years later, Arcane Horizon supports 65 individuals in various living situations. Another of Ron's legacies was his fight to change the Mental Health Act to protect the rights of Derek and others with intellectual disabilities. Ron and Jean's fight against the government led to The Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act (VPA) that was drafted into Manitoba law in 1996.
Ron's work history is vast. He joined the Royal Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 18, where he served as a radar and communications tech until 1960. He also worked as a boilermaker, a Math and Science instructor at Red River College and many years as both a power and operating engineer. We all know him as a 'Ron' of all trades as he could build or fix anything. Ron and Jean never sat still, even in retirement. They share a love for music, dance, horseshoes, lawn bowling, golf, travel, camping and playing bridge. One of Ron's favourite hobbies was building and setting up bird houses for his Purple Martins each spring. He spent hours in the backyard watching them, naming them and protecting them. He would take pictures of them soaring overhead, doing their aerobatic stunts.
Jean and family would like to thank the surgical and ICU staff at HSC for their dedication and care for Ron. Their incredible kindness will forever be remembered.
A Celebration of Ron Nobess' remarkable life will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Our family welcomes donations in Ron Nobess' name to Arcane Horizon Inc., the organization that was founded by the Nobess family. More info about Arcane Horizon can be found on their website, https://arcanehorizon.org/. Donations can be sent through their donation site: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/arcane-horizon-inc/
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2022
Condolences & Memories (7 entries)
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On behalf of SCE LifeWorks, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to Jean, Derek, Renée, Rick, Michael, and other family/friends of Ron. Ron's and Jean's tenacious advocacy leaves a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit Derek and many other Manitobans. Ron was an amazing man. Sincerely, Oly Backstrom (SCE LifeWorks) - Posted by: Oly Backstrom (We provide support to a family member) on: Jan 06, 2023
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Our deepest sympathy to Jean and family. The times that we spent with Ron was mostly at the Horseshoe pits. He was a great player, we also enjoyed Ron & Jean on the golf course. He was always friendly and great to visit. Our condolence reaches out to his many friends and family. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Norman & Florence Friesen (Friend) on: Jan 03, 2023
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I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. My heartfelt sympathy to you and yours. Alma Longstaff - Posted by: Alma Longstaff (A friend of Jean's) on: Jan 02, 2023
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On behalf of the entire Arcane Horizon Community, I express our heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of Ron Nobess to champion the rights of vulnerable people through the creation of Arcane Horizon in 1995, and the advocacy that created the Vulnerable Persons Living with a Mental Disability Act of Manitoba. The lives of all vulnerable people in Manitoba have been forever enriched by the efforts of Ron and the Nobess family. Thank you. - Posted by: Chris Bauer (Executive Director, Arcane Horizon Community (Inc)) on: Jan 02, 2023
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Heartfelt thoughts Jean, your family & friends. We will so miss Ron out and about puttering, trimming his trees and his wide welcoming smile. The clink of horseshoes all season long, and the excitement of when the purple martins returned each spring. His feeder with the Golden Arches along with what new colors the bird houses would be sporting each year are so memorable. He was so so very proud of you and his entire family. We are so very sorry. Indeed a true gentleman we were so touched to know. - Posted by: Dale & Lynn (Neighbours ) on: Jan 02, 2023
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Uncle Ron was someone I have a great deal of respect for. He was a role model for me growing up and someone I could look up to. One thing I am grateful for is he helped me when I graduated on what to pursue in my post secondary education. He bought me supplies to help with my courses and was there for anything else I needed. I was very saddened to hear the news. I wish strength to Aunty Jean and the family during this difficult time. - Posted by: Adam Nobess (Nephew) on: Dec 31, 2022
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There are countless words to describe Ron Nobess, and the one that first comes to mind for me is irreplaceable. He was also kind, loyal, had an unmatchable sense of humour, a mind that could figure out and solve pretty much any problem he faced, and a stubbornness that allowed him to achieve so much in his life. I am so grateful to have had him in my life for the last 14 years as we worked relentlessly as a team to provide housing and safety for Purple Martins every season. In the off season we would plan our strategy for the following spring, and patiently wait for their arrival in May. He had the most beautiful one of a kind housing that he created with that " I can solve any problem mind" which in turn provided an incredibly safe haven for his birds as it was the only truly hawk proof housing out there. His birds were so lucky and they will miss his relentless protection over them. He also created a robins nest under his eaves that was unable to be breached by predators. The robins thanked him by nesting in that same spot two, sometimes three times each season, year after year. What a remarkable legacy. I am sure I will never in my lifetime experience the kind of friendship I shared with Ron and I will miss him terribly, but feel so grateful and lucky that he was a part of my life. My husband Terry also cherished the friendship and joy of Ron. They shared the love of cycling, nature and being handy. Ron would often cycle over for visits in our backyard and the two of them would laugh non-stop at each others quirky humour which meshed perfectly together. Terry relied on Ron many times over the years to have him problem solve technical, mechanical or construction puzzles. Ron always had a solution that would work perfectly. He truly was the "Ron of all trades" and a wonderful friend. - Posted by: Anne & Terry (Best Friend) on: Dec 31, 2022
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