Ronald CALVERT

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CALVERT: Ronald Reginald Calvert passed away suddenly at his home on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at the age of 82. He was born on March 16, 1932, to Reg and Dorothy Calvert of Sidney, Manitoba. He was the eldest of five children, Donalda, Betty, Doreen and Barry. He was raised and educated in Sidney. Ron married Phyllis Olmstead of Gregg on October 15, 1955, and lived in Sidney for three years before purchasing and moving to a farm in Melbourne, Manitoba. Ron managed a mixed farm with a cow/calf operation as well as a feedlot. Ron spent numerous years as a municipal councillor for the R.M. of North Cypress. He was a member of the Agricultural Society, Masonic Lodge and Manitoba Hereford Association. In his younger years, he played first base for the Sidney Steelers but his passion was curling. He attended many bonspiels, bringing home many prizes and trophies. After he was no longer an active curler, he enjoyed watching his nephews curl. Recently, he took great pride in his great-nephew, Braden Calvert, as he competed in the Canadian Men's Junior Curling in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, and then on to the World Men's Junior Curling Championships in Switzerland. In 1997, Ron and his wife retired to Carberry. He drove the handy-van, providing seniors with outings or rides to appointments. He rarely missed playing crib or cards at the Drop-Inn Centre. Always interested in what the farmers were doing, his evenings were spent touring the countryside, no dirt road went untraveled. Ron's second last day on earth was spent at the Heartland Livestock Yards watching his nephew's calves being sold and renewing old friendships. He will be remembered as being a true cattleman to the end. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Reg and Dorothy Calvert, and siblings, Barry Calvert and Donalda Schell. Ron is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of 58 years, as well as three daughters and grandchildren: Ronalee (Gordon) Wood, their family Brendan and Lindsay; Brenda (Brad) Wells, their twin daughters Candice and Courtney; and Kerri Wright, her daughters Jori and Lexie; his sisters Betty (Bryce) McRorie; Doreen (Walter) Coubrough; sister-in-law Norma (Jim) Hanna; brother-in- law Allan Schell; and numerous nieces and nephews. A private family committal service was held at the Carberry Plains Cemetery on Monday, April 7, 2014. Pallbearers were Gordon Wood, Brad Wells, Brendan Wood, Grant Calvert, Trent Olmstead and Myles Olmstead. The ceremony to celebrate Ron's life followed at the Carberry United Church with Rev. Peggy Reid officiating. A fitting eulogy was given by granddaughters Lindsay Wood and Courtney Wells. Upon Ron's request, Roy Middleton sang How Great Thou Art. We thank Rev. Peggy Reid for her comforting words. No matter where Ron was or what he was doing, it can be said that he always made an impression. He will be missed. White's Funeral Home was in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 19, 2014