October 9, 1936 - December 15, 2024

Ronald Bernard Lalonde was born in Cornwall, Ontario to Eveline and Adalbert in October of 1936, the eldest of five bright and energetic children living many years on Alice Street.

He was sent to the Sacred Heart Juniorate Seminary at the age of 12 for education and perhaps priesthood. Ron was Brother Xavier through teachers' college but left at the age of 22. Wife Helen for 58 yrs, kids Ronnie, Theresa (Philip) and grandkids Bea and Mack are super thankful he decided against that last vow.

Instead, Ron's church was bush life north of 60 in the Mackenzie Delta playing sacred hands of 9-5-2 or crib, first in cabins at Airport Lake, then Noell and Point Lakes as well as hunting and fishing with wonderful friends. He was known for his sharp math skills, figuring out the maximum amount of beer he could fit into the Cessna or sled and keeping bears away by singing rude songs every time he went out to pee. And he could really catch trout.

Ron came north in 1959 to teach at the Federal Day School in Inuvik. He taught four generations in math, French, accounting, and typing as well as supervising the library. Because of his kindness and love for fun and games, many of his students later became great pals.

Ron loved the people and community. He was part of the first form of municipal government, a founding member of the Lion's Club, an army reservist who taught cadets, regional coordinator of the Arctic Winter Games, and Scoutmaster. He played basketball and hockey with verve, never wearing socks in skates saying they slowed him down. He was a shutterbug capturing student activities and much of the town's history as it grew.

Ron helped build the McInnes Branch of the Legion. He delivered'Meals onWheels' for years. He drove elderly members around town enjoying their stories and company.

Of his many awards and accolades, favourites include: his team placing 3rd in the weeks long 1970 Centennial Canoe Race, Euchre Champ at the CFS Mess in 1983, and Lifetime Membership in the Royal Canadian Legion in 1999. (thanks to Ian Butters for the nomination and having the history handy in a letter Ron kept)

After his stroke last July, he'd notice it was Friday on the whiteboard in his hospital room and obsess about going for a dance at the Legion, even trying to bolt through the doors a few times.

Thanks to outstanding staff at the Inuvik Regional Hospital for the midnight card games and wheelchair rides outside. The last three months he was in the lovely care of the Avens Dementia Unit in Yellowknife.

No service at his request.

Have a dance for Ron or play cards with your loved ones and think of him. It's believed he lived to 88 because of all the time spent on the land eating fish and caribou. We are ever thankful to the Gwich'in and Inuvialuit on whose land he enjoyed so much.