RONALD FREDERICK BEAL

Ronald died peacefully in resident care on October 25, 2018. He was 97 years old. He was born in Toronto to British immigrant parents, the second of five children. Ronald was the last surviving member of the Royal Grenadiers, which later became the Royal Regiment of Canada. He served during WWII in Iceland, and in the fateful raid on Dieppe in 1942. He was taken POW and incarcerated in Germany for 33 months. His military service and extended incarceration became a focal point of his life after his repatriation. Ronald's career was in the former Unemployment Insurance Commission. After retiring in 1977 he devoted his energy to advocating for Veterans and former POWs. As president of the Dieppe Veterans and Prisoners of War Association for 20 years, he gave many talks and media interviews about his war-time experience. He supported fellow veterans and POWs to navigate the newly-established process to apply for pensions for their psychological distress. He is grieved by Marjorie his wife of 72 years; his son Sydney, his wife Dianne, their son James and his wife Samantha Reilly; his daughter Lynne and her partner Pat Healy; his brother Austin and wife Evelyn and others. His family is grateful for the attentive care he received as a resident in K Wing for Veterans at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Visitation and celebration of Ronald's life will take place on Saturday, November 10th beginning at 2 p.m. at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 4115 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sunnybrook Foundation directed to Veterans Programs. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember you. Stand down, good and faithful servant, and be at peace.