Ronald SIMPSON

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SIMPSON: The death of Ronald Francis Simpson, beloved husband of Bernice, occurred on Friday, February 8, 2013 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Ronald Simpson was born at Shoal Lake, Manitoba on July 20, 1925, the only son of Edmund and Susan Simpson. He attended Wheatfield Elementary School and Shoal Lake High School. After finishing school, he began working with his father on their farm. In 1947, when he was 22 years old, the family moved to a farm east of the village of Brookdale, Manitoba. Many hours were spent over the following years, not just farming, but planning and improving all aspects of the farm. He was always interested in new farming methods and the new farm machinery which was developed over the years. He was also keenly interested in co-operatives, serving on the board of directors of the Neepawa-Gladstone Co-op for 17 years, retiring in 1985. He also served on the board of the Brookdale Pool Elevator Association and the Beautiful Plains Credit Union. While visiting relatives in Brantford, Ontario, in March 1974, he met Bernice Burley. Bernice was a registered nurse, working at the General Hospital there. They were married on November 9, 1974 in Brookdale United Church. With the arrival of three children, their family was complete. Both his parents came from large families, and Ronald had many cousins in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, and the US. He maintained contact with many of these relatives over the years, with a genuine interest in them and their families. Family history was important to him, especially on the Simpson side. An article on the early Shoal Lake settlers written by Ronald was published in the second volume of the Shoal Lake History Book, Ripples on the Lake, in 2007. He was an avid story teller, who loved to pass down the stories of the early days from his father to his nieces and nephews and anyone else who would lend an ear. Retiring from farming in 1995, Ronald continued living on the farm until 2008, when he and Bernice moved to Monterey Estates in Brandon. Ronald had a long standing battle with cancer. He survived prostate and colon cancer; finally succumbing to Liver cancer on Friday, February 8, 2013. Ronald is survived by his loving wife Bernice; son Charles (Connie) of Calgary; daughter Sharon (Hector) Menzies of Brandon; daughter Irene of Edmonton; five grandchildren; one great grandchild; sister Grace (Reg) Jones of Brandon; sister-in-law Beverley Rath of London, Ontario; brother-in-law Robert Burley of Montreal, Quebec, and eleven nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by all. The funeral service will take place at Memories Chapel, 330 18th Street North on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Neepawa. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, 415 – 1st Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 2W8, would be appreciated. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 12, 2013