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RONALD (RON) GEORGE TOCHER
Date of Passing: Jul 08, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRONALD (RON) GEORGE TOCHER 1932 - 2018 It's with heavy hearts the family announce the sudden passing of Ronald George Tocher on July 8, 2018 in Kelowna, BC. Ron was the only, and beloved, son of Tina and Geordie Tocher. He was raised in western Canada, and left home at a young age to pursue a lifelong career as a pilot. Ron was trained by an aerobatic champion and earned his hours flying as a crop duster and for various private companies. He met Mona while they were both based in Winnipeg working for Trans Canada Airlines; they married on June 22, 1957 in her hometown of Lethbridge, Alberta. Together they raised three children, while Ron flew all over Canada and the world, ultimately becoming Chief Pilot (Winnipeg Base). He worked as part of an Air Canada management team at Air Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica; living there with his wife and youngest daughter Jill for a brief period. They moved back to Winnipeg for a few years and then Ron, Mona and Jill moved to Vancouver where he went back on the line to finish his career as a pilot (captain) flying his dream to favorite foreign destinations. He was fortunate to retire very early (52) and spent the next 30 plus years having fun. Ron was an avid fisherman, played a pretty good game of golf, loved to travel and was 'the entertainer'. He was a great storyteller; he had incredible life experiences to share and had the gift of great humour. Ron was predeceased by his wife Mona and his parents, Ernestine (Tina), and Geordie. He is survived by his son Paul (Donna), Swan River, Manitoba and grandchildren, Chad and Shawna; daughter Cathe (Tom), Vail, CO and grandchildren, Mika and Rory; daughter Jill (Rick), Madeira Park, BC and grandson Rick Jr. A memorial service was held at Grace Lutheran Church, in West Kelowna on Friday, July 13, 2018. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the: Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada www.heartandstroke.ca
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 14, 2018
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Rest In Peace Ron. HIGH FLIGHT! Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air... Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew -- And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. - Posted by: Bob Barry (Fellow Pilot) on: Jul 14, 2018
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I will remember Uncle Ron for many things. He always looked like he was about to tell you the punch line of a funny story. He took me on a plane which he landed on a lake so we could fish and let me “fly”. He smoked cigars and entertained like Dean Martin. He came back from faraway places with presents for me like a bottle of perfume from Paris and a swatch from Sweden. It was so exciting to have him and Auntie Mona come for a visit; like JFK and Jackie O were in town. I got to spend time at their cabin in Ontario which had an outhouse, a ladder up a wall to get to my loft bedroom and a Jeep to get around the trails in. It was utopia for kid and a favourite childhood memory of mine. I am so glad I got to see Uncle Ron a few times in the last few years. I will think of him and Auntie Mona often. - Posted by: Rochelle (Niece) on: Jul 14, 2018