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Ronald Petrie Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a cherished father, husband, brother and friend, Ronald Laurie Petrie, on Sunday, February 19th after a brief battle with cancer. Ron was born in Preeceville, Saskatchewan on January 4th, 1960 to Jim and Irene Petrie. He grew up on the family farm at Lintlaw, attending elementary school in Lintlaw and high school in Kelvington. Ron attended the University of Saskatchewan where he became one of the youngest editors of the student newspaper, The Sheaf. He left university to start his journalism career at the Hudson Bay Post Review. From there he moved to Moose Jaw to work for the Times- Herald and was hired not long after to work for the Leader-Post. Ron was provincial editor for several years before becoming a political columnist based at the legislature. He eventually found his niche as humour columnist which he continued to write until just before his death. Ron had many passions but his family came first as he was overwhelmingly devoted to his four children. His biggest source of joy was to watch his sons play hockey and he spent many years managing teams and making friends with other hockey parents. He made every effort to understand and appreciate the world of cheerleading and dancing for his beloved daughter. Ron's other passion was his cabin at Fishing Lake where he would spend every July and every summer weekend on his boat or visiting with friends and family. Ron is survived by his wife, Joan, children Spencer, Stuart, Hayley and Andrew, his brother Barry (Laurie) Petrie of Star City and their children Lucas (Amanda), Patrick (Emily), Virginia (Kirk) Tanner, his sister Heather (Dwayne) Nakrayko of Wadena and their children, Kristen, Collette, James and Kalli, his mother and father-in-law, Ralph and Evelyn Karasinski of Assiniboia, brothers and sisters- in-law Grant and Susan Karasinski (Daryl, Ross) of Limerick, and Valerie and Randy Humen. Ron was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Irene Petrie, and nephew Evan Humen. The family would like to thank the Leader-Post and all of Ron's colleagues there for their tremendous love and support over the past months and days. Also a special thanks to hockey friends and families, and friends at the Ministry of Health. A sincere thank you to staff at Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region and EMS and friend, Dr. Moira McKinnon. The funeral service is at 2:00 pm on Thursday, February 23rd at Lakeview United Church 3200 McCallum Ave., Regina, with Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach officiating. A private family burial will be held in Lintlaw the following day. Friends who wish may make a donation to their favourite children's charity. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
28 Entries
March 21, 2012
Dear Joan & Family I had been away and just today read in the Leader Post about a fund set up for your children. I was totally in disbelief and express my deepest sympathy to you and your children. Through his column I feel I have come to know them. He was the funniest and the most entertaining writer and always showed his love for his family. How blessed you were to have had him as husband and father. He was truly loved and will be missed so very much. Love and prayers Marlene Schnell
Bonnie & Rod Ruzicka
February 26, 2012
Dear Joan, I would like to extend our deepest Sympathy to you and your Family.
February 24, 2012
Joan and family: It's a couple of years since Ron was our guest when he came to Saltcoats to do a story on Peanuts and CrackerJacks (our dinner theatre offering that year). His on the spot encouragement and the article he wrote meant so much to our entire cast and crew. In the flesh as in his articles his love for people and his joy in life shone through. Saskatchewan has lost a true man, a gifted writer and observer. May you find healing and comfort in your grief and encouragement in your celebration of Ron's life and love. Walter and Joan Farquharson.
February 24, 2012
Petrie Family,
Ron's column always made me smile or laugh and that is such a gift to give others, be so proud of your Dad. His heart was always on his sleeve such obvious love for his family and province. He will be missed by his readers and we send hugs to the family.
Brenda Pander-Stowe Regina Beach
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Gwen Petrie
February 23, 2012
Joan and family. I was so shocked to read of Ron's passing. My deepest condolences. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Gwen Petrie
February 23, 2012
Dear Joan,
I have struggled to come to grips with the sad news of Ron's passing. You don't need me to tell you just how generous and loving a man Ron was. And I doubt you need me to tell you how valuable and important he was to the Leader-Post from the day I first hired him for the Moose Jaw bureau throughout the many positions he filled so ably. I was proud to call him both a friend and a colleague and to share the same corner of the Leader-Post newsroom. To Spencer, Stuart, Hayley and Andrew I can only hope that as you grow up the realization of how proud your Dad was of all of you and how much he loved and cared for you will provide some solace for your loss.
May God keep and bless all of you,
John and Stella Swan
Ian Caldwell
February 23, 2012
Joan and family
Pat and I were very shocked and saddened to hear of Ron's passing. I will always remember Ron's sense of humor and the work and effort that he put in his columns. You always knew that you were reading Ron's words.
Ian and Pat Caldwell
Cheryl Nickolson
February 23, 2012
My sister (then of Surrey) and I laughed so much at "Running of the Buffalo" as we were raised on a Saskatchewan farm. I will miss Ron and his columns . My sincere sympathy to the family.
Dale & Louise Eisler
February 23, 2012
Dear Joan and family,
Our hearts go out to you. Ron was a kind and gentle man. He made the world a better place. God bless him.
Linda & Rob Dewhirst
February 23, 2012
Joan & family - Ron was a grand man and will be dearly missed. Our hearts and tears are with you. Linda and Rob Dewhirst
Carole Greensides
February 22, 2012
My deepest sympathy. I will always remembe Ron for his humor in his writing. Still remember the science class song he made up in grade 9. Thoughts and prayers with you at this time.
Allan Cathcart
February 22, 2012
Joan & family - I am deeply saddened to learn of Ron's untimely passing. It is clear from the tributes being added in this guest book or written in the L-P that he'll be sorely missed by his vast readership, but that he's left his lasting mark on people across the province. None will miss him more than you and the kids. Please know that my thoughts will be with you in the days and weeks ahead. Treasure the memories. Draw strength from the family & friends who surround you. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Bernard Pilon
February 22, 2012
Joan and family, my sincere condolences for your tragic loss. Ron was one of the good guys at the L-P, a funny, funny man who had the innate talent of turning a pressed, white shirt into a wrinkled, untucked mess by noon. Without fail! His ability to make us all laugh at the silliest thing was legend around the office. All of Cracked Axle - an all who knew Ron - are saddened by his passing.
February 22, 2012
Our deepest sympathy Joan and family. We so enjoyed Ron at Andrew's hockey. He was the first one to help in the penalty box and you were right beside him. Take care. Lorie, Dean & Lex Tatlow
Leanne Thompson-Hill
February 22, 2012
Ron was such a very nice man and a pleasure to work with and know, so sad he was taken away so young. Heartfelt sympathy to his wife and family, he was a very wonderful person.
Kevin Blevins
February 22, 2012
Dear Joan,
When Jeff DeDekker texted me the sad news the other morning, I had to read it several times before I believed it. A person with so much zest for life, so much passion, should not leave this earth before his time. But there it was in black and white, on the tiny screen of my phone, Ron was gone. Ron taught me so much at the LP: first as a reporter — that the best stories involved ordinary people doing extraordinary things; and then he supported me through thick and thin while I was in management, always proud that the summer student he had hired had worked his way up to deputy editor. I will never forget his support, neither will I forget his friendship. As the news of Ron's passing began to sink in throughout the day, my thoughts turned to you and your four wonderful children. I know how deeply Ron cared for your kids and how hard he worked to be a big part of their lives. I can't imagine the road you now face alone without such a supportive and loving partner, but you are strong and will find a way. On the trying days ahead, remember you and the kids were the centre of Ron's life, his rock, and he talked about all of you each and every day at the LP. You were his world, what he lived for. Take solace in that as you move forward without him. Much better to have a fantastic husband and father for a short time, than a mediocre one for a long time. One day I know you and the four kiddos will come to understand this if you don't already.
My deepest sympathies,
Kevin Blevins
February 22, 2012
Since hearing about the passing of my dear nephew Ron, I have been in a state of over-whelming sadness. We admired him for being a dedicated family man succesful in his chosen career as a news columnist. My family and I extend
our deep-felt sympathy and love to Joan and chidren, Hayley, Spencer, Stuart and Andrew. May time heal the loss.
Uncle Alton
Jo-Anne Hautz
February 22, 2012
Dear Joan, Spencer, Stuart, Hayley, and Andrew........we are deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are away this week but would love to connect with you all in the weeks to come. Please know you are not alone. Take care. Jo-Anne, Ethan, and Madyson Hautz.
February 22, 2012
Dearest Joan and family, I had the honor of meeting Ron through Deana and Al Driver. Your husband will always be one of my hero's. With our deepest Sympathy, Dionne and Graham Warner.
February 22, 2012
Joan:
Nothing made me laugh as much as Ron's columns and that's the memory I'm going to keep forever. My sincere sympathy to you and the kids. He loved you all so much. I'll never see a misplaced apostrophe without thinking of him and the roaring laughter we'd have about something so mundane. Sorry I am unable to attend the service. I'll be thinking of you all.
Sincerely,
Bruce Penton
Craig Henry
February 22, 2012
Hi Joan, it has been many years since our J-school days, but I'd like you and the kids to know that Ron's writing was very popular and influential in my family. Many times he would be referenced at family gatherings for his hilarious insights. I also fondly remember working for eight months in the mid-80s at the L-P and CK Radio in which I was lucky enough to see Ron at his best at coffee time. Every single time we were roaring, so it wasn't hard to see why he ended up being such a gifted humour columnist.
It goes without saying that Ron will be greatly missed by many, but he leaves behind a incredibly rich legacy of work that ensures his memory will be forever imprinted on those who met him and read him.
Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
Take care,
Guy Laird
February 22, 2012
Deeply saddened to hear of Ron's passing. It was my great privilege to have worked with Ron at the L-P as well as having supplied artwork for his book. The man was genuinely funny, and I'll always remember him as that slightly rumpled guy rubbing his brow, wandering the hallways, deep in thought and muttering to himself. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Petrie family for this tragic and premature loss.
Kim Blevins
February 22, 2012
To Joan and family - Kevin and I have so many fond memories of Ron. From his only appearance as Santa Claus at an LP reporter's party to finding his feminine side at a literacy retreat, and Kevin's favourite visual of Ron stalking the newsroom clutching his hair, trying to come up with a column. These memories plus all the little moments in between for 20 years will remain with us forever. Kevin sends his love from Nashville and we will keep you all in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time.
Lisa Wilson-Sturm
February 22, 2012
Joan, I was so sad when I heard the news. I cannot express how deeply sorry I am. My thoughts are with you and the kids.
Deana Driver
February 22, 2012
Joan and family, We are so sorry that we will not be able to attend the funeral. We are thinking of you all and we will keep you in our hearts and prayers. Ron was a wonderful human being who cared so deeply for others. We feel blessed that we were called his friends. Love, Al and Deana Driver
Kirby,Sherri and Family Schwabe
February 22, 2012
Love is everything, it will keep your family strong. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.
Marg Moran McQuinn
February 22, 2012
Joan, I am sorry I cannot be in Regina to offer my support to you in this time of great sorrow. Please know that I am thinking about you and wishing you and your family strength.
February 22, 2012
Joan and Kids, Barry and Laurie and Family, Heather and Dwayne and Family and all extended family and friends. I want to tell you how very sorry we are for your loss of a great, great man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Diane (Smith) & Ben Brauch and Boys (Denver, Colorado)
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