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Ron Lancaster Obituary
Also a Grey Cup winner as a coach with the Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the former Wittenburg University star died Thursday, just over a month after he announced he was being treated for lung cancer. He was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.
Inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1985, Lancaster has 142 regular-season coaching victories to rank fifth on the CFL list. After coaching Hamilton in 2006, he worked the team's radio broadcasts and was a senior adviser to organizational development.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
34 Entries
Dorothy P. Smoyer
December 20, 2024
Thank you........Dorothy (Lancaster) Smoyer......Ronnies sister.......I speak for our family also when I say...We will ALL miss him..........sometimes.....terribly.......
Elan O'brien
October 23, 2018
Because of you, George Reed and Hughie Campbell, I became a fan at 17. Now fifty years have passed and my feelings are the same. You will always be #1 on my list of CFL players. I was at the Armouries when you brought the cup home to Regina. One of the most exciting days in my life. Thank you for all you did for the province and the fans. You were so "real!" I am sure you and the others have a terrific team wherever you are...
Joni
May 27, 2015
I met Ron Lancaster when I was 10 years old he has always been my idol.My dad and Ron would talk when Ron would come into Edmonton with the team.
Rest in Peace Ron..Never forgotten
How you can show support
July 26, 2012
greatest quarterback I ever saw Thanks for the memories
sig lahm
September 29, 2008
ed nunc ad astra. sig lahm
Dean R
September 27, 2008
Thanks Ron for all the great moments you provided me and all football fans across the country for so many years. As a kid growing up, you were my idol as I listened to many a game on the radio and then from the games watched in the Rider Rookie section to becoming a season ticket holder at age 14. My love for the Riders and CFL Football is attributed to you and Gerorge. I missed you as a QB when you retired, I missed you as a broadcaster when you retired and I will miss you now, as will the entire league and country. Thank you so much for all you have given me and so many others. God Bless you wonderful soul!
AL CHESTER
September 22, 2008
WITH MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY I SEND....
Keith Miller
September 22, 2008
I am a former player of coach Lancaster. He was a good hard fair men. Coach was a straight shooter with his players and that what you want in a coach. He will be missed but not forgotten by his players and teammates.
Garnet Elmer
September 21, 2008
Heart felt condolences to the Lancaster family. He was a tough man and we will meet this loss with equal toughness. A man of dignity and a man of great integrity.
The Mikell Family
September 21, 2008
May God hold Ron in His memory and bless the family He left behind. May God comfort you all. Psalms 83:18
Ed Tramer
September 21, 2008
Rest in Peace RON you were the best and in my mind you still are, i have always been a fan of the Riders even though I lived in Man. for 33 years and now live in BC.
Claudia Cooley
September 21, 2008
I don't know what words can comfort any of you at this time. Ron was such a good man! I have so many memories of the trips to Canada so Dad could see his games. When Dad heard of Ron's passing, he looked at me and said....."I can remember when I got on my bicycle to get the doctor when Ron was being born when I was 12!" We all knew Ron was a very special person in my Dad's life! He was so proud of Ronnie. My heart goes out to each and every one of you because this is such a great loss! May God help you threw this difficult time and comfort you in knowing that Ron's not in pain anymore. From: Claudia Cooley (cousin)
Patti Tindal
September 21, 2008
Liz,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your uncle. My thoughts are with your Grandma also in the loss of two of her sons to this dreadful disease.
Bill Danylchuk
September 21, 2008
Truly one of the best to ever touch a J5V and make a mark on "OUR GAME" like no other. Too many memories for the mind to handle. I'm sure you've done a post pattern right to heaven. Rest in Peace and Thanks !
September 21, 2008
To the Lancaster family! My prayers are with you all at this time. #23-RIP . the bells/calgary
Woody McNab
September 21, 2008
From the McNab family, Our prayers and thoughts are with you in this sorrowful time. Mr. Lancaster will sorely be missed by the League and his collegues.
Val-Nova Luzzi, and children.
September 20, 2008
On behalf of the LUZZI family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Ernie and Vi Bauchman
September 20, 2008
We were deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our hero
- Ron Lancaster!
We have attended many of Ron's games and he truely was a Legend. God bless and rest in peace- Ron
September 20, 2008
We met Ron when Bob and our son were on the same hockey team - he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word - football wasn't his only special talent. The world could use more men like that. Our hearts go out to his family - God Speed Ron
Jan Maydan
September 20, 2008
As a Blue Bomber fan, I remember, admire and respect Mr. Lancaster. What a sad loss for Canadian football.
My sympathies to his lovely family who are enduring a much greater loss.
Thomas Widgeon
September 20, 2008
Jesus Loves Me!!!
September 19, 2008
I remember when the Stampeders beat the Roughriders in the Western final in Regina. Ron was at the airport to send off the Stampders after the loss. He was there to wish them luck in the Grey Cup Game in Toronto. What a great sportsman he was!!!
Bonita Musso
September 19, 2008
I remember watching Ron play against the Calgary Stampeders in many a many western final against the Calgary Stampeders. I admired him as a player and as a man even though I was a young fan of the CFL. We have lost a great legend. My thoughts and prayers go out out to the Lancaster family . He was not only a great player in the CFL but a great man as well.
a tiger cat fan
September 19, 2008
Hamilton has lost a gentle soul, a wonderful human being, the tiger cats will never be the same without him at the helm. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and any and everyone that touched his life. May God take him in his arms, care for him, he is now free of pain. GOD BLESS
Kevin Jurovich
September 19, 2008
Having just lost my Dad to cancer on June 28 th, 2008 at the age of 68, my heart goes out to the entire Lancaster family. Rest in Peace.
Joe Putos
September 19, 2008
I grew up watching Ron play for the "green riders" and though I was an Ottawa "rider" fan, I always loved watching him play. No matter the situation or circumstances it was never over while Ron was at the helm. God speed Ron.
Joe P. Kingston Ontario
Gloria Evans
September 19, 2008
July 2006 there was a reunion of the Saskatchewan Roughrider '66 Grey Cup team in Regina. It was wonderful to see "the boys" back together, hearing some of the stories of their time and the joy they shared. Ron was in his element.
Donna Gibson
September 19, 2008
My condolenses to the family of Ron. From when I was a little girl (over 50 years ago) I had always loved to see him in football or here that he was doing so well while managing his teams. My mom has long gone but she just loved to watch his games - no one could even come close to his professionalism and also because he was such a gentle soul.
September 19, 2008
Canadians and all CFL fans will miss his influence on football. Rest in Peace Ron
kevin sparks
September 19, 2008
Thanks for all the great memories, we will never forget Number 23.
Kevin
D. ZIMMERMAN
September 19, 2008
REST IN PEACE RON LANCASTER
Elaine Bastedo
September 19, 2008
Our thoughts and blessing are with "The Little General". Ronnie had so many accomplishments as a quarterback that are not mentioned in this obit. Those of us dedicated Sask. Roughrider fans will never forget him.
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