Ronald S. Holcroft??
Nov. 15, 1916 – Aug. 4, 2015??
Salt Spring has lost one of its most distinguished gentlemen. Rarely would you see him without his tweed jacket, tie and flat cap, in summer substituted by a panama hat adorned with a hat band bearing the colours of his old boarding school, St. Edward’s (Oxford). ??
Ron passed away peacefully at Lady Minto Hospital after suffering heart complications and finally a stroke. He will be missed by his loving and attentive wife, Nancy (married 59 years), his son Tom (Charlotte) of Victoria, daughter Anne (Bryne Weerstra) of Cochrane, Alberta, and sister Janet Mill of Shiptonthorpe, Yorkshire, England, as well as several nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, and sister Margaret Magnus.??
Born in Wolverhampton, England, Ron’s plans of becoming a solicitor were abandoned when he joined the Territorial Army and entered the Second World War as a military policeman in 1939, followed by 5 years in POW camps. After the war, Ron studied agriculture and operated a market garden. He emigrated to Canada in 1952, settling in Brampton, Ontario. There he met Nancy, who had emigrated from England in 1954, when they were both acting in an amateur theatre production. His first job was at a greenhouse, followed by a job at a reformatory where he eventually began teaching. That led to his career as a high school teacher of horticulture and environmental science. In addition to teaching, he joined the Lorne Scots militia in Brampton, kept himself busy on a hobby farm near Barrie, Ontario and became the lay preacher at Hawkestone Anglican Church for several years. He took up wood-carving and became well known for his walking sticks, even selling them for a time in Lake Louise.??
In 1986, Ron decided to make Salt Spring Island his home, thinking the climate might reduce allergy symptoms, and no doubt wanting to leave behind the shovelling of snow. He and Nancy immediately became involved in the community which continued until only 5 months ago. Activities started with Sea Capers, but soon included the Anglican Church, Masons, Shriners, Canadian Legion particularly on Remembrance Day, Trail and Nature Club, Scottish Country Dance Club, Boy Scouts, Seniors Services Society, Meals on Wheels, volunteering at Fernwood School, Salt Spring Literacy Society … the list goes on.??
The family wishes to thank the staff at Lady Minto Hospital for their tender care, along with his long-term doctor, Dr. David Woodley, and more recently Dr. Barcan and Dr. White.??
Funeral: 2:00 p.m. Eucharist Thursday, August 13th at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Salt Spring Island, followed by a reception at All Saints Anglican Church, Ganges.??
Donations in Ron’s memory may be made to The Cancer Car Charity by sending a cheque directed to the Cancer Car Charity, care of:
Admiral Masonic Lodge, 506 Lower Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2P6 or may be made to any charity involved in environmental stewardship.