Ronald Melville Castner

CASTNER, Ronald Melville August 15, 1929 August 23, 2011 Ron passed away peacefully after an extended illness, at the Chemainus Health Care Center, where he had been a resident for over a year. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Virginia MacCarthy (Parker) and his son Dr. Paul Castner and his grandchildren Cameron and Alexandra MacCarthy and Jennifer and Kathleen Castner, brother Dr. Edward Castner of California and cousin Thelma Niemeyer of Denver, Colorado, as well as several nieces and nephews. Ron was born in Victoria and attended George Jay Elementary School and Victoria High School where he graduated in 1947. He was an accomplished athlete and played baseball, basketball, lacrosse, rugby and participated in track and field, while he was growing up on Empire Street. He was also a member of the K.V.'s basketball team. He won many awards for his athletic talents. Ron married Sylvia Abbott in 1949, with whom he had his two children, and they divorced in 1975. His second wife, Audrey Paterson, whom he married in 1984, predeceased him in 2010. Ron obtained his CLU (Chartered Life Underwriters) designation and began a career in the insurance business that took he and his family from Victoria to Nanaimo, Ottawa and Toronto and finally to Vancouver in 1967. He retired from the insurance business in 2008. Ron continued to live in Vancouver until he moved to Duncan to be near his children and grandchildren. He lived in Abbeyfield Manor in Duncan for two years before being transferred to the Chemainus Health Care Center. His family would like to thank all the nurses and caregivers who were so very kind and caring while he lived in Chemainus and during his times in the Cowichan District Hospital in Duncan. They are truly an amazing group of people. Private family arrangements have been made for Ron. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a youth sports association, Vic High Alumni Association or a charity of your choice. 635964