July 2, 1929 – April 20, 2021
Ron passed away peacefully at his home in Barrie, Ontario on April 20th, in his 92nd year, with his family at his side.
Finally, Dad will get rest and rest alongside his much-loved wife and our dear Mom, Elsie, who we lost only a short time ago, in January. Much to his surprise, Dad outlived all of his siblings.
Ron led an amazing life, one defined on his own terms. He had multiple careers and interests, but no role was more meaningful than his last, where he devoted his life to the care of his life partner. Ron and Elsie were married for 71 years, and were the love of each other’s life, after meeting in high school. Elsie was an integral part of his success in all aspects of their life together.
Ron grew up on a farm in Caledon, Ontario and developed a strong work ethic that endured throughout his life. He was an entrepreneur who owned and actively operated several successful businesses over his life, most notable were his days in the car business as owner of Moffatt Mercury Lincoln, a tradition carried on by his son Bryan and his grandsons, a second and third generation of Moffatts who continue to serve the community. Beyond the car business, whether it was running Moffatt’s Marina or the first snowmobile dealership in Barrie, Ron had a good sense for opportunity and acted on it. Dad was a dealmaker at heart, and often said he was married to only one thing, his wife.
He also had a passion for real estate and loved nothing more than taking a raw piece of land and turning it into something special, after negotiating hard to acquire it. Ron was generous but loved a deal, and didn’t mind asking. Ron took pride in every property he owned and loved operating any and all equipment that was necessary to care for it; and he was good at it.
Ron also had a keen interest in flying and was an excellent pilot, learning to fly his own plane, a life-long dream, flying to his off-season home in Florida and on multiple other adventures, including Alaska, and always “buzzing” 48 Royal Oak Drive to let Elsie know he was home, before landing at whatever farm hosted his runway at the time.
Ron was active in the community for many years as part of the local Shriners organization, serving as its President in 1979, and remained an active member of both the Shrine and the Jesters.
Ron and Elsie were very proud of their children, Rhonda (Rick Fisher), Bryan (Ollie), Brenda, and Doug (Cathy Logue), their eight grandchildren, Ryan Robillard (Elyssa), Tiffany Killam (Dave), Stephen Moffatt, Greg Moffatt (Ashley Baker), Mark Moffatt (Sarah), and John, Lizzie and Tom Moffatt, and eight great grand-children (Ethan, Kayla, Ben, Leah, Reese, Spencer, Madison and Tessa).
The family is most appreciative of the care and support Ron and Elsie received from Linda, their kind and loving caregiver and companion, over the last years of their life.
There will be a small family service and interment, and Celebration of Life when the future allows. In lieu of flowers, donations to the RVH Foundation or a charity of your choice would be welcome. Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com