Ronald Kelly

KELLY _ Ronald Garth April 16, 1941 - November 22, 2008 Ronald Kelly, beloved husband of Mary Ann Kelly of Strathmore, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2008 at the age of 67, after a courageous journey with Cancer. Ron was born in Manville, Alberta and later moved with his family to Calmar. It was there that he met Mary Ann Cockx in the Leduc Hospital. They married in May of 1965 and moved to Strathmore where they resided. Ron began his work career on the rigs and then he worked for Cigas Propane until he and Mary Ann became agents for UFA Petroleum for twenty-one years. Because Ron's love for people was so great, he stayed busy in his retirement years. He drove a water truck for Todd's Trucking, making endless friends at Inland Aggregate. Ron's work life came full journey for him when he spent the last years of his life back with the rigs that he so loved, working for TD Drilling. Many thought he was crazy going north to Fort McMurray each winter when most people became "snow birds" and headed south. Ron did not care, the rigs were where he was most happy and he would not have traded it for anything. Ron's love for baseball was also really important to him; he spent many summers coaching minor baseball. He coached his team to victory in the 2002 PeeWee Provincial Championship. The joy he got from it was evident as he continued to travel around Alberta watching the kids play. Ron's love for family and friends ran deep. He was often the life of the party telling jokes only Ronnie could tell. He was always available when one of his family members needed him. Everywhere Ron went he met a friend, he had the gift to gab and loved being social. Ron's greatest love was his family. He is survived by Mary Ann, his loving wife of forty-three years, and four children, Suzanne (Jamie), Michele, Kevin and Cody (Lindsay) and his favorite little Buddy Reno. He is also survived by his siblings Ethelyn (Tommy) Evans; Bruce (Jean) Kelly; Brian (Helen) Kelly; Brenda (Dennis) Sereda; and Beryl (Larry) Oldenburg. He is also survived by Mary Ann's siblings, Dale (Heather) Cockx; Darrel (Sharon) Cockx; Mason (Deborah) Cockx; and Lin Cockx; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ron lived life to the fullest. A Celebration of Ron's Life will be on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at Hope Community Covenant Church, Strathmore at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made directly to "The Tree Of Hope" c/o Strathmore Hospital (200 Brent Boulevard, Strathmore, T1P 1J9). To send condolences please visit www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca . WHEATLAND FUNERAL HOME LTD. (Strathmore) in care of arrangements. Telephone: 403-934-5666.