RONALD EDWARD EVAN LEWIS

June 24, 2021

Ronald Edward Evan Lewis, born in Canmore, Alberta, died peacefully at his home in Canmore early in the morning of June 24, 2021. He was 75. He leaves his wife, Leslie; his daughter, Rachel (Jason Leslie); his son, Evan (Anna Krahotin), and Evan’s children, Dmitriy, Kseniya, and Yana; his brothers, Earl and Victor; and his sister, Andrena. He was predeceased by his brother, Craig. After receiving his degree in engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1967 (where he met Leslie), Ron moved east to work for Ontario Hydro. He worked at the Pickering Nuclear Power Plant and was manager of the Nuclear Power Demonstration in Rolphton, and the Bruce B Nuclear Power Plant near Tiverton. Safety – both nuclear and workplace – was the most important thing to him, next to the care of the people who worked with him. He retired from Hydro in 1999 as director of nuclear safety. The following years were full of travel – including living for a year in Turkey – and service to his communities. He worked through Rotary, in particular, being resident first in Creston, B.C., and later in Canmore, and taking on many other jobs for those clubs. He had several leadership roles with St. Michael’s Anglican Church, found ways to help the Town of Canmore, and enjoyed solving the world’s problems with the Georgetown Institute. Music was always dear to Ron, who was raised surrounded by his father, Vic’s playing. He discovered choir-singing in the 1980s in Deep River, and he needed to be in a choir wherever he lived after that. After retiring, he learned to play the cello, and found real joy playing with Canmore’s Poco Rit chamber music group. He delighted in his children’s and grandchildren’s musical gifts. To quote his friend, Jim Millard, “Ron was a mentor to many who enjoyed his quick wit, knowledge of useless facts, and his ability to use words effectively and positively. As much as we will miss him and his winsome charm, his legacy lives on with each of us who have been fortunate to spend time with this master of kindness. The family thanks Dr. Brandon Hone and the army of skilled specialists and medical caregivers he summoned; the Canmore Hospital Community Care group for the exceptional, tireless care Ron received; Valentina at Medic Comforts; the pharmacists at Save-On Foods; and the emergency medical services workers who patiently picked him up when he fell. Leslie particularly appreciates the kindness she is receiving from the staff and residents of Origin at Spring Creek. In memory of Ron, his family would appreciate gifts to the Canmore Rotary Club Charitable Foundation through Canada Helps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/t/63253. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date.