Tribute

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald (Ron) Eric Ikona on Sunday, December 22^nd.

Ron was predeceased by his father and mother Reino & Marian Ikona, sister Lorene. father and mother-in-law Bill & Johanna Balliet, brother-in-law Tom Balliet, nephew Ed Shaw.

Deeply missing him are his wife of 45 years Dianna; his cherished & very special nieces/nephews Bev (Chris) Baslee and Shellie (Morgan) Harrison.  Also, his much-loved nieces, great-nieces, great-great nieces, nephews, great nephews…Emilie (Graham) Auger, Heidi & Aubrey; Scott (Shelby) Baslee; Ryan (Shannon) McInnes & wee Merrick;  Autumn (Brian) Rivera & wee Jomari; Stephen Balliet; Melissa (Slobodan) Kukic, Mateo & Sofia; brother in-law Bill (Lilia) Balliet, sister in-law Judy Balliet.

Ron couldn’t get enough of our latest additions – wee Merrick McInnes and Jomari Rivera.  He loved them so much – as he did all of our nieces and nephews!  We were certainly blessed to have such a loving and close family.

Ron also leaves behind many very close friends, and I know how much they will miss him.  Ron was just that kind of guy you wanted to be around.  He was very kind, thoughtful and honest, with such a great sense of humour.  He loved to talk and his handshake was a guaranteed agreement.

Ron grew up in Coquitlam, with the best of family memories.  He was still in diapers when his parents first took him camping and his love of the outdoors continued through his lifetime.   He learned to fish, hunt, scuba dive and even ride a unicycle when he was young.

Ron attended U.B.C. and his work career in Industrial Relations began at B.C.F.P. Head Office in Vancouver.  He then transferred to Renfrew Logging Division, followed by a transfer to Crofton Pulp and Paper as Industrial Relations Supervisor.  This is where we met in 1973.  He also worked for a short period with Canadian Motorola, before finding his true passion as a commercial fisherman.  He called the ocean “his office”  with such a huge smile.  For many years he could fish nearly 7 days a week, 12 months of the year – and it still didn’t seem enough to him.  He loved fishing SO much,  the ocean was indeed his “happy place.”

Ron didn’t just love fishing.  He also loved crabbing, prawning, boating, nature, and the list goes on.  Although he wasn’t a carpenter by trade, his skills were amazing.   Ron was an excellent skier (water and snow)!  He was an avid reader and I swear his brain was a sponge.  He had a sharp memory and a passion to learn and teach.

His wood carvings were beautiful.  Many years ago, he was honored to sit and talk with Simon Charlie (Hwunumetse’), master carver, on several occasions and watch him carve.  Ron learned so much from this extraordinary man.

Ron enjoyed solving problems and figuring out the easier way to do things.  He had endless patience and came up with some really miraculous inventions.

We certainly enjoyed our vacations in Mexico, but we enjoyed nothing more than the Gulf Islands.  We loved spending our summers on the water, and never tired of the beauty and the beaches.

Honoring Ron’s wishes, there will be no service.  To honor Ron in another way, raise a cup of coffee to him, catch a fish, watch the ocean, crack some crab, hug your loved one and tell them you love them.

With most sincere thanks to all of those who took such good care of Ron for many years.   Dr. Kapongo, Dr. Morris, Dr. Grendarova, the angels in the CDH ICU and the 2^nd floor east. The ambulance paramedics, the 911 operators….every last one of you….thank you so very much.  You have such hard jobs and please know how much you are appreciated.

In memory of a life that touched so many.  Not a day will go by when you are not loved & missed.