In loving memory ~
Our beloved Ronald passed away peacefully on the morning of December 10th. The previous day had been spent with children and grandchildren singing Christmas carols.
In his words: "I was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, October 29th , 1925. My father John James Francis MacIsaac, son of Ronald MacIsaac of Rockbarra, PEI, was out politicking, so I was born at home to join sister Mary and mother, Mary McNair MacIsaac, daughter of Archibald McNair and Mary Splude of Nash Creek on Baie de Chaleur in New Brunswick. I was joined in due course by Alastair, Elizabeth and Roderick."
At age seven he sold magazines, rabbits, and Christmas trees with his brother Alastair. In his teens, he milked cows, painted biplanes, sold insurance, and cooked for Alaska Highway workers.
Ron graduated Law in Saskatoon, and became a trial lawyer in Nanaimo. Among his cases were defending the rights of Jehovah's witnesses to evangelize, and a manslaughter case involving an escaped lion. Ron notably established the right to a jury for injury cases in B.C.
In 1955, Ron met and married Isabelle Godwin. He spent his weekends skiing, hiking, and horseback riding with his children and various neighborhood kids. He loved travel, visiting over 100 countries.
Ron married Jocelyn Floyer and moved to Langford Lake, where he sailed his Laser sailboat and hosted picnics.
Ron was devoted to heritage preservation and environmental causes. He helped save St. Anne's Academy, and defended environmentalists pro bono. He was a local TV show host, had columns in local papers, and published four books, including "Clayoquot Mass Trials: Defending the Rain Forest".
He received many awards and honours, including an Honorary Doctorate from Vancouver Island University, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Rankin Pro Bono Award, the Canadian Bar Association's Community Service Award and the International Law Education Society medal.
Ron leaves eight children, Roderick (d.), Carol (Richard), Dan (Bernadette), Elizabeth (Ian), Hugh (Lynn), Melanie (Peter), Bruce, and Juliet (James), grandchildren Erik, Benedikt, Tobias, Maria-Claire (Steve), Celine, Clarisse (Desh), Kathleen, Blaise, Courtney, Janae, John, Jacob, Jeniveve, great-grandchildren Brennan and Rose, brothers Al and Rod (Maria), sisters Mary and Elizabeth, and beloved nieces and nephews.
His legacy includes love for the environment, music, humour, and adventure.
we've got the drop on you."
A Celebration of Life will be held early January.
For RSVP and details, email roncelebrationoflife@gmail.com