June 30th, 1956 - May 8th, 2023
It is with profound sadness that Ron’s family shares the news that Ron has been cleared for takeoff in his Cessna 172 for a last and glorious flight of his life, following a four-year fight with cancer. He was 66.
Ron leaves behind his ground crew, his wife, soulmate and best friend Alexandra Garrett-Wassink; his children: Ian Wassink (Christine), Julie Wassink (Justin and his children Georgia and Jackson) Zack Wassink (Nicolette); step-daughters, Tara Miller (Jeff) and Dannielle Bell (Andrew); six beautiful grandchildren, Cameron and Chloe Bell, Ainsley and Ashton Nesseth, and Denver and Cara Wassink; his mother, Roelie (Kerkdijk) Wassink; brother, John Wassink (Emmy Lou); sister, Joan Laferriere (Reg); mother-in-law Irene Stec; Alexandra’s sisters and brother: Nina Dumais, Basia Stec and Martin Stec; many nieces and nephews and very dear friends and neighbours, Don and Jeanette Potter and little Lexi.
Ron is predeceased by his father, Reint Wassink (2018) and brother-in-law Fred Dumais (2021).
Ron was born in Newmarket on June 30, 1956. He was raised on the family dairy farm near Harriston, Ontario. Ron had a successful career as a journalist, photographer and publisher at several community newspapers in Wellington, Huron, Bruce and Simcoe counties from 1974 to 2009. He travelled to Normandy, France to report and photograph the opening of Canada’s new Juno Beach Centre, and attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of D-day celebrations in Arromanches, France.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario and Canadian national newspaper associations, serving as President on the Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Over the years he volunteered as a member of various Rotary Clubs, Habitat for Humanity and was a photographer for the Arctic Winter Games when Greenland was the host country.
Ron and Alexandra moved to Nunavut in 2010 and Ron retired in 2018 as communications specialist with the Government of Nunavut. In retirement, Ron and Alex settled in Elora, living and loving life to its fullest.
As a skilled private pilot, his biggest thrill in life was flying and he was a member of the Guelph and Hanover flying clubs.
Public visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home’s Fergus Chapel; 280 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario. A private celebration of Ron’s Life for family and close friends will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity Wellington at the Fergus Restore location, where he volunteered, or a charity of choice.
