Ron Lester

LESTER It is with the greatest sorrow that the family of Ron Lester announces his passing after a five year battle against Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Ron was born in Port Hope, Ontario and was educated in Agincourt (Toronto), Ontario. In 1972, he married Susan Elizabeth (Glandfield). In 1973, he graduated from Osgoode Law School and was called to the bar in March, 1975. After completing their respective university degrees, Ron and Susan moved to establish their careers and a family in Thunder Bay. In March, 1991, at the height of Ron's career as one of Thunder Bay's most talented and respected lawyers, he accepted a position on the bench of the Provincial Court of Ontario. Ron's greatest pleasure came when travelling and golfing with Susan and friends, spending time with his children, including coaching their various sports' teams, his weekly gin games with Gino, Raymond and Tom, beating his computer (and other competitors) at Scrabble, golfing, lunching and playing cards at the Thunder Bay Country Club, working and entertaining at "Camp Lester' at Shebandowan, being with his dog Bailey and visiting with his family in Picton. Among Ron's many service contributions are: Past President of the Thunder Bay Law Association, Executive Director of the Criminal Lawyers Association, Executive Director of the Ontario Judge's Association, President of the Harbour Youth Services, Chair of the Harbour Youth Foundation, and Board Member for the Northern Cancer Research Foundation and the Children's Wish Foundation. He was the loving husband of Susan (28 years), proud and adoring father of Alison (Gabriele Cozzolino), Sondra and Jordan. Also left to mourn his loss are his parents Doug and Jean Lester, brothers Garry (Mary Lynn), Doug Jr. (Charlene) and Fred (Sharlene), and sister Barbara (Neil Vader), all of Prince Edward County, Ontario, sister and brother-in-law Pat and Bruce Nourant of Vancouver, B.C. and brother-in-law James Glandfield of Richmond Hill, Ontario, plus numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews in Southern Ontario. Ron is now united with his brothers Robert (Bobby) 1979 and David 1999, his grandparents Alfred and Alice Lester and Fredrick and Elizabeth Saunders, and his in-laws Rowland and Dorothy Glandfield. A service to celebrate Ron's life will be held on Wednesday, May 17th when friends and colleagues will gather in St. Paul's United Church (Waverley Street) for services beginning at 7:00 pm with Rev. Dave Eskdale officiating. A second celebration will take place in Picton, Ontario on Friday, May 19th for family, friends and colleagues from Southern Ontario. In lieu of flowers, Ron's wish was to have donations made in his name to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation the Care Beyond Care Campaign (Thunder Bay Regional Hospital), or the Justice Ronald B, Lester - Harbour Youth Foundation. Also donations of plasma through the Thunder Bay Plasma Centre would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements in care of the Sargent & Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street. Ron's sense of humour, his fighting spirit, and his love and devotion to his family, the justice system and community service will be his legacies to us all. We do not have to look outside our own lives to find a true hero. There will be no public visitation."