Obituary of Ronald Eugene Hedstrom

Ron, beloved husband of the late Marjorie Ruth Hedstrom of Calgary AB, passed away on July 9, 2020 at the age of 94.

 

Ron left high school during the Second World War to join the war effort. He was underage, so his father pulled him out of the Army. He began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway. Then at the age of 17, he began active service with the Royal Canadian Navy, to eventually serve in the Atlantic.

 

Ron spoke often of his time on HMCS Coaticook. He spent his last year with HMCS Tecumseh before discharge in 1946. He then resumed his career with the CPR before retiring in 1985 as a Signal Supervisor.

 

Ron and Marjorie were married in 1948.

 

Ron was surrounded by family, neighbours, and friends for almost 30 years after the passing of Marjie. He continued to live in their NW Calgary family home. His final years were spent in the Colonel Belcher veteran’s home.

 

Amongst Ron’s war photos and memorabilia were several poems, “We are freezing on the upper deck, It’s awfully hot below, We are homesick bruised and broken, But the convoy must go on.” The Silent Service (author unknown). His favourite song was Somewhere in France.

 

He dedicated his life to supporting Marjorie and his children and their close partners and family’s.

Ron is survived by sons Bruce (Calgary) and Arnold (Whitehorse), their offspring and their close partners.

 

Ron is also survived by three grandchildren, Bruce’s son Peter and wife Joy, their son Hayden (Calgary), Arnold’s daughter Helen (Fort St. John) and her son Owen (Whitehorse). He is also survived by Marjie’s sister Phyllis Taylor (Gull Lake, Saskatchewan) and nieces Wendy (Swift Current) and Pat (Saskatoon).

 

Ron was predeceased by his parents Douglas and Anne, brother Arnold and sister Yvonne. He also is predeceased by his grandson Eric, and Yvonne’s husband Stew Eaton and their children Ronald John and Janice of Calgary.

 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

 

If friends so desire memorial tributes can be made to Friends of the Colonel Belcher through Calgary Health Trust - FOCBS, or calgaryhealthtrust.ca/donate/friends-of-colonel-belcher.

 

Bruce and his wife Anissa, and Arnold on behalf of all family members, wish to thank the staff at Carewest Colonel

Belcher, for their excellent care and support before and during these trying times.