TABOREK, Ronald 'Ron' Joseph

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ron Taborek on March 18, 2024, at the Village of Riverside Glen Long Term Care facility in Guelph Ontario, in his 86th year.

Ron leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Anne Taborek (nee Brunning) and his three sons, Stephen (Lisa), Brian (Kim) and Adam (Mary Margaret) as well as his sisters, Mary K. Taborek, Virginia Sinnott, and Christine Taborek.

He also leaves behind 13 grandchildren who he adored, including Jennifer, Scott and Afton, Hallie, Anayah, Bryson, and Brayden, and Ben (wife Alexandra), Graeme, Stephen Ronald, Angela, Emily and Jack.

Ron was born in Hamilton Ontario in 1937, the eldest child of Ben and Mary Taborek. Ron's parents relocated from Hamilton to Northern Ontario to establish a fishing and hunting Tourist Camp on Tomiko Lake in 1946 and "Ronnie" split his early years spending his summers working at the Camp and the school year in Hamilton with his beloved "Babcia" who loved and cared for him. In his early years, several of his lifelong passions emerged which included his love for reading, learning, flying, and his appreciation for the outdoors and the North which he passed on to his sons. These were tough years and life at the Camp was both demanding and rewarding as he worked tirelessly with his father Ben and loving mother Mary running the Camp while guiding the tourists and cleaning fish late into the night.

At the age of 15, Ron obtained his Pilot's license and his life really "took off" in high school in Hamilton when he met his lifelong sweetheart, Elizabeth Brunning at Cathedral High School. His proficiency with math and physics led him to an Engineering Physics (Aeronautics) degree at the University of Toronto. He was selected in 1960 for the prestigious Athlone scholarship at Imperial College in London England.

Elizabeth and Ron were married that summer, and the newlyweds travelled to London, England, and a new adventure. Ron studied computer analysis of aircraft structures and received a Masters' degree. The couple travelled extensively in Europe and these trips gave them a travel bug that they never got over. Ron and Elizabeth returned to Canada, settling in Toronto with a son Stephen, where Ron began work for de Havilland Aircraft.

Sons Brian and Adam came along shortly thereafter and in 1970, the family moved to Kanata, where Ron managed a project for the Department of Transport in Ottawa for STOL aircraft (Short Take-off and Landing) and later he managed a program to rationalize rail passenger services in Canada and obtained approval from the Federal Cabinet for the creation of Via Rail one of Ron's proudest work achievements.

The family returned to Toronto again and Ron began work with Ontario Hydro where he coordinated a program to reduce acid gas emissions and he led a team forecasting and planning for the provinces' future electricity needs.

In retirement, Ron was able to do more of the things he enjoyed best, namely spending time travelling with Elizabeth, fishing, hunting, and flying, and sharing time with his friends, and family, especially his grandchildren.

Ron was a prolific builder, and he always had an interesting construction project underway. He built Aircraft wings in college, a 26- foot sailboat, kayaks, rowboats and he put a 2nd storey on a Toronto bungalow. He even built an RV4 airplane in the basement of his home. His final large project was a beautiful four- bedroom home on the shores of Colpoy's Bay near Wiarton that was enjoyed by the entire family and friends for many years. He lived a happy and fulfilling life.

There is so much more to say about Ron's life but not enough space to say it. He was known as a kind and generous person who had a tremendous impact on his family, friends and those that he worked with. He loved his wife Elizabeth and family dearly and will be sorely missed by them and remembered fondly.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 252 Dublin St. N., Guelph, where the family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00pm on Saturday May 11th, 2024. Celebration of Life ceremony to follow at 2:00pm. Reception to follow.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Village of Riverside Glen Long Term Care Facility in Guelph who provided kind and compassionate care to Ron over these last few months. Expressions of sympathy may be made by donation to: The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Alzheimer's Society of Canada, Essential Tremor Research.