Obituary of Ronald 'Uncle Ron' Sewell
Passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2015, after a short stay at University Hospital in his 104th year. Ron was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada in 1913 with his mother and sister on board a Cunard steamship. Ron, who was a lifelong bachelor, is survived by his loving nieces Maxine (Mrs. John Weekley), of Listowel, and Gayle (Mrs. Murray Anderson), of London. He will also be fondly remembered by many great nieces and nephews, many great-great nieces and nephews, and a great-great-great nephew! Ron was predeceased by his parents John and Flora Sewell, his sister Gladys and her husband Percy Stewardson, and his nephews Ralph (Jeane) Stewardson and Allan (Elaine) Stewardson. Ron worked for many years as a motor winder at Toll-Morris Electric in London until his retirement in 1981 at the age of 70. He was interested and active in many varied activities: for many years, he enjoyed his annual fishing trip to Lake Nipissing; he was always an avid reader; he enjoyed photography; he was an enthusiastic boater who, along with his brother-in-law Percy and his nephew Allan, built his own 16 foot ‘runabout’; he enjoyed travelling extensively, often with the Pilgrims Group of St. Paul’s Cathedral; and he rang the carillon bells at St. Paul’s for many years until he was in his 90s. Ron was an active Kiwanian for many years - a member of the Kiwanis Club of Middlesex (London) where he regularly attended meetings each Thursday until he entered Extendicare Nursing Home in October 2014. But perhaps his greatest interest was his love of Masonry. He was initiated into Acacia Lodge No. 580 (now amalgamated with St. Paul’s Lodge No. 107) in September 1950, where he became Master in 1961. He later affiliated with Daylight Lodge No. 735 and was made an honorary member of St. John's Lodge No. 20. Ron was also an active Shriner (Mocha Temple) where he was a member of the Director’s Staff, and the Eastern Star (Orpah Chapter No. 102). Friends and family will be received at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 from 3:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., with a Masonic Service being conducted at 6:30 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, 472 Richmond Street, London, on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 12:00 Noon. A private family interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Ron are asked to consider the St. Paul’s Cathedral Alter Guild or the Daily Bread Food Bank at St. Paul’s.
