March 28, 1930 - September 20, 2012
Dad was born in Leuchars, Scotland on the 28th of March, 1930. He was the first born of John Watters Herd and wife Betty Nicholson Watson Herd. His birth was registered in St. Andrews. My Father, Ronald George Herd grew to have one sister and two brothers.
Throughout the war, Father’s family travelled throughout Scotland as Grandpa was an electrician. Grandpa’s skills were needed during the war and as such there were many school changes throughout Dad’s school years. The war really impacted Dad’s view of funerals. None of us like funerals, but Dad especially did not want a funeral or a celebration of life.
Grandpa and Dad immigrated to Canada in 1952 and for two years they worked and sent money home to get Granny and the rest of the family to Canada. Dad worked as a teacher in Scotland and as an engineer here in Canada. Once Dad came to Canada, he never returned to Scotland. He embraced Canada as his own. He played ruggar when he arrived and kept many of those friendships over the years. It was with the help of the Jewish Men’s Society that Dad got his start in Canada. With a loan from Rabi Rosenburg of Toronto, Dad got enough money to purchase a car to get him to his first job. That kindness stayed with Dad all the years of his life. That story became a family story, told with pride and repeated many times over the years. It remains our family’s Pay it Forward, and a true point of pride and gratefulness.
Dad met Mom in Toronto and they courted for two years. They married on April 9, 1955. I am the only child of Ronald George Herd and Noretta Lilayan Lentz Herd, (born August 17th, 1932, Maynooth, Ontario). Dad worked for English Electric 1955-57; Racey McCallum 1957-59 where he was a metallurgist at the Chalk River reactor.
Dad and Mom chose a boxer named Bootsieas their first dog and from there they built their life. They ran a boarding kennel in Maple, Ontario while Dad worked as a dogcatcher 1959-61. Dad ended up working for Purina 1961-65 and through this he began attending the dog shows. Dad showed our own dogs, was active in the Boxer breed and went on to become an international dog judge. Our home was blessed by many four legged lovies throughout the years. We had boxers and pointers, a poodle, some cats and a bassett- not all at the same time of course! We moved to Cooksville (Mississauga), in 1965, and that home was where we all remained throughout my schooling. Dad worked for Arnett in Port Credit from 1965-71. He was the manager of Gaylord Regethermic in Brampton from 1971-1986. After leaving Gaylord he became a real estate agent in Mississauga and sold property from 1986-1991.
After Dad’s retirement in 1991, Mom and Dad moved to Vancouver Island- “Paradise Found” as Dad said. Dad continued his dog judging and traveling. He had earned his all-around judging and this afforded Dad the excitement of judging and travels to other countries. He remained active in judging until his retirement from judging in November 1999. Dad remained active in the breed and to this day we still have many friends in the dog game. Dad was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club for fifty years of dedicated service.
My Dad was active in the Nanaimo community. He was involved in Citizen’s on Patrol for two years. He went on to start Speed Watch here in Nanaimo and was awarded the Volunteer Award for 1999 for Vancouver Island by the Ministry of the Attorney General. That program still runs today with volunteers.
Dad passed away suddenly on Thursday September 20th while Mom and I were on an overnight trip to Ucluelet. When we were unable to reach Dad by phone, our dear friend Rick came to the house and found him. My Dad leaves behind his wife (my Mother) Noretta, daughter Sherri-Lynn, grand-cat Nubby, and many close and dear friends and extended family to mourn his passing. I would like to thank everyone for the prayers and kind words, shared memories and acts of support that have buoyed us through this difficult time. Thank you to the paramedics, fire and rescue, RCMP and the coroner for coming to take care of my Dad.
Dad will be cremated and buried at a later date in Maynooth, Ontario, where most of Mom’s family is laid to rest. Arrangements are being handled by Benson Funeral Home in Millbrook, Ontario. Should anyone wish to make a donation in Dad’s name, we have selected The Christ Lutheran Church, RR#1, Maynooth, Ontario, K0L 2S0.
For Online condolences and donations, please visit www.bensonfuneralhomes.com