Ronald SCHINDEL
January 3, 2021
January 3, 2021
January 3, 2021
After courageously
and successfully battling through a series of serious health challenges over
the recent years ending with a short yet another battle with cancer, Ronnie
Schindel, beloved husband of April passed away peacefully on January 3, 2021 at
11:05pm; minutes shy of his 85th birthday. Ever an easy-going man Ronnie
maintained his good nature, positive attitude, love for life and his family and
humour right until the end. He will be missed tremendously by his surviving
family and friends.
Ronnie is predeceased
by his loving first wife Virginia, his parents Bill and Sophie Schindel and his
beloved dog Bunny.
Ronnie and his brothers Allan and Harley were
born and raised in Vancouver to parents Sophie and Bill Schindel. Ron’s childhood and adolescence were spent
attending Van Horne Elementary and John Oliver Secondary schools,
graduating in 1957. He excelled at team
sports such as hockey and soccer and also enjoyed tennis. He stayed active well into his adult
years. His first job was at Bartle &
Gibson while he was still in high school. From there he went on to work at Hillcrest
Plumbing, and finally managing the family business Hand Carved Frames, later
known as Magnum Frames with Jimmy by his side until he finally retired in 2010
Ronnie was such a gentle man who was generous,
humble and kind. He made a difference in
the lives he touched, he was a wonderful mentor, coach and a trusted husband, son,
brother, brother- in -law, father, father-in-law, grand- father and
great-grandfather. Everywhere he went he made friends and impacted lives.
In 1957 Ronnie
married his sweetheart, Virginia. Together they raised four daughters. In 2000, they celebrated their 43rd
anniversary, which was the same year she passed away. There are many good
memories that are forever etched in our hearts like backyard pool parties,
barbequing in the pit, tennis matches, Penticton and Eugene Oregon trips, San
Francisco to celebrate their 25th anniversary, yearly visits to Maui,
boat cruises, birthdays at Puccini’s, and countless celebrations spent with
family and friends. Mom and Dad were lifelong BC Lion’s and Vancouver Canuck
fans and enjoyed the playoffs each and every time.
It was no
surprise when Ronnie met and married April in 2003. Together, they embarked on a 17-year journey
filled with love, laughter, fun as well as new adventures, like bike riding on
Barnston Island, vacations to exotic places and trips to White Rock to walk on
the waterfront and later to sit and watch the waves roll in. They enjoyed their party for two!
Surviving
Ronnie is his wife April and his daughters:
Linda, Robin (Sam), Cindy (Karl) and Arlene (Ed) and grandchildren:
Jennifer (Keston), Andrew, Adrian, Ronnie, Julianna and great granddaughter
Kyah. Brothers: Allan (Marlene) and
Harley (Dianne) Stepchildren: Dwayne (Dora), Lorne (Ava) and Gina (Al) and all their
children and numerous other relatives and friends.
There will be no Memorial service for Ronnie at
his request. A celebration of life will be held later when it is safe to do so.
A Just Cremation Online Obituary page will be created for Ronnie at https://online.justcremation.ca/obituaries where condolences and comments can be posted, and information
will be posted on the celebration of life event.
Our heartful thanks to all the
staff at Langley Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care they provided over
the years, and especially to the staff at the Langley Hospice residence for
their amazing care they provided him during his final days. We can never say
thank you enough.
In lieu of
flowers, in memory donations can be made and would be greatly appreciated by
the family to either the:
Langley
Hospice Society or BC Cancer Foundation
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.
My deepest condolences to April, Linda, Robin, Cindy & Arlene. I have great memories of Ronnie. Love Ronnie's cousin Judy. ~ Judy Schindel Wegner
Condolences to the family. I met Ron many years go when I handled the insurance for Magnum Frames. What a prince of a guy. If only all my clients were as nice and as easy to deal with as Ron. I will not likely forget him for as I type this 4 pictures on our walls were framed by Magnum, either Ron or Jimmy.
Terry Newman
~ Terry NREMAN
Our sincere condolences to Ronnie's family and to April's as well. A 47 year old friendship ended with Ronnie's passing. From the fun-filled Puccini lunches, to our many road trips , and the many Friday Night Happy hours in our backyard over the last 6years have made for some great memories. He will be sadly missed. "HELLO" .....nobody could say it better.
I spent more time than I can remember as a teenager at the Schindel home. It was always a warm welcoming place to be. Mr. Schindel always had a smile on his face and always made me feel like part of the family.
Robin. I was so very sad to read of your dads passing. My mom passed on the information. Please pass on my condolences to your sisters.
Diane McQuade nee Murray
dianelmcquade@gmail.com
~ Diane McQuade nee Murray
Dear Dad,
We miss you and our hearts are broken. Thank you for being the best dad and father-in-law. Karl and I have good memories that will help us to heal and carry on. You kept saying you wanted to win the lottery and to share the wealth. I know as do you cause we talked about this, that we won the lottery ... we had you for a father. You loved deep, taught us to be honest, humble and kind, showed us how to be resilient and to never burn a bridge, and the courage to live your best life. There is a song "Humble & Kind" sung by Tim McGraw. It reminds me of the kind of person you were to me/us.
I have faith that are at peace and that allows Karl & I to move forward though it will be forever different. Thank you for giving us another 20 years after mom passed away.
We are forever grateful!!!
Love Cindy #3 and Karl
My condolences to Ronnie's family. I was fortunate to meet Ronnie while attending Van Horne . We moved on to John Oliver, where Ronnie , Don Richdale and myself kinda chummed together while attending JO , we did not spend time together away from school. As the years passed I never forgot the comraderie that we three shared at school those many years ago. I find it rather strange that recently I have been thinking of both Ronnie and Don and then to read of his passing was quite a shock. Rest in piece my old friend.
frank drinovz
So sorry to hear of Ronnie’s passing, we haven’t know him long but he was a very nice man and will be missed.
Ellen & Ken Barker
~ Ellen & Ken
My most heartfelt condolences to Ronnie's family.
I was fortunate to have met Ronnie when we both attended Van Horne secondary in 1949, then went on to John Oliver in 1950, While at J.O., Ronnie , Don Richdale and myself chummed together but only at school not afterwards.
Over the years I did give thought to them both on occasion and within the last few weeks their names popped into my head and I wondered just how they might be fairing.
Much to my dismay did read I of Ronnie's passing just yesterday .
I have over the years relished our at school camaraderie , more so now that I have learned that Ronnie has been laid to rest.
REST IN PEACE MY OLD FRIEND.
frank drinovz
Thanks for the memories!
You were the absolute best parent a girl could ever have and father-in-law to Karl. I/We loved our time together spent at baseball games, bike riding on Barnston Island, working at the shop(s), dinners, outings, vacations, our wedding and so many more times.
When mom died, we grieved but as you always said ... life goes on. Your gift of 20 additional years with you is a priceless gift. Karl and I will cherish those years and memories.
Thank you for teaching me the power of love and forgiveness, on being resilient, trustworthy, humble and kind and for showing me what strength of character truly is by living life to the fullest. Your twinkling eyes, smile and laughter will help us to heal but know this, you will be dearly missed.
Love forever, your pal daughter #3 Cindy & Karl.
~ Cindy Gulbransen
To the family of Ronnie. We met Ron through my sister who were long time friends and he became our buddy immediately. It is so hard to believe he is gone. I regret not having seen or talked with him the last few years but with memories I can see him smoking a cigar and drinking beautifuls. Wish we had all gone to Hawaii together Ron.
With sadness and love, Craig (Monkey) and Judy Smith