RONALD FREDERICK FARNFIELD (RON)

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RONALD FREDERICK FARNFIELD

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Ronald Frederick Farnfield on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. Ron was 83 years old and endured a brief fight with cancer while at the St. Boniface Hospital. As only Ron would do, he left us on his own terms, surrounded by his loving son David, his nephew Tommy Toland and his best friend Jim Burnosky. The three of them were with him on his last day.
Ron was born in Winnipeg in 1936 to Frank and Mary Farnfield. Winnipeg was his home for his entire life. As a child growing up in the Lord Roberts community, he started his hockey career on the outdoor rinks through most days and late nights. He knew how to keep the lights on much to the chagrin of the rink managers. His hockey career blossomed as he rose to become one of the finest hockey players in Winnipeg at the time. He starred for the Winnipeg Junior Monarchs and thereafter was scooped up by the Toronto Marlboro Junior organization where he went on to win the 1956 Memorial Cup commemorating the top Junior team in all of Canada. Ron left Toronto in 1957 and had a brief stint with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL before returning to his home in Winnipeg, where he returned to school at the University of Manitoba. Ron completed his education at the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree and played for the Manitoba Bisons at the same time. In 1962 he married, in his words "the best woman a man could ever have", Joan Farnfield. Together they travelled to Cortina, Italy to celebrate their nuptials, where he also played with the Cortina Rex and was a member of Italy's National team. Joan returned to Winnipeg before the end of his season and gave birth to their son, David.
Once again Ron returned home to Winnipeg and continued his hockey career playing with the likes of the Warroad Lakers and won another hallowed Canadian hockey award - the Allan Cup with the Winnipeg Maroons in 1964. This team was later inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame where Ron's indelible mark on the game will remain forever.
During his university days Ron started working for CN Railway. He made the decision to start his career with CN where he worked as a brakeman for 35 years. He was committed to his work and, just as importantly, his time off work to spend time with his many friends on the golf course, road trips, and his winter vacations around the world. Ron lived life to the fullest providing many special memories for his friends and family. The family Christmas weekends at his sister Gerry and brother-in-law Kenneth's house, with his two nephews, Tommy and Malcolm, and David were late nights full of laughter, rabble rousing, and with some small house repairs thereafter.
His son David would relish the times he spent with his dad...there was never a dull moment for David, always getting earfuls of advice on the hockey rink, the golf course, academic pursuits, and perhaps the most important thing ...how to be a gentleman and the importance of respecting others. Ron was so proud when David graduated from St. John's Ravenscourt School and went on to Yale University to study and play hockey in 1980. "When you get to school...be a gentleman"...were his parting words. David loved his dad very much and had tremendous respect for his character.
Ron Farnfield left behind a legacy of loving relationships. Friends and family meant everything to him. And people loved being in his company. You were always welcome at Farny's home for a drink, a story and a laugh. Some of the great expressions he came up with will live in the family forever. We know he would take this moment to wish farewell "adios" to all of his friends, including those in the Alpine Apartments, his hockey friends...including guys like Johnny Rendall et al, his nephews, Tommy and Malcolm and his family in Toronto...David, his wife Sandra and his beloved grandchildren, Brett and Brooke.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Sharma and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their excellent care of Ron during his time there.
Cremation has already taken place and there will not be a funeral. A Celebration of Life for family and friends will take place at a later date.

E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 07, 2020