Obituary of Ronald Edward Whiteside

Ronald Edward Whiteside (1929-2024)

It is with great sadness that the family of Ron Whiteside announces his peaceful passing on May 23^rd at Sherbrooke Community Centre, just short of his 95^th birthday.

Ron was born in North Battleford and spent a carefree childhood enjoying summers at Jackfish Lake. As a teenager during the Depression and War, he worked part-time at the local creamery. Ron left high school early to play hockey with some future NHL greats. However, his hockey career was short-lived, and in 1947, he started work as a SaskTel lineman. In 1948, he was transferred to Humboldt and met the love of his life, Shirley. They were married at Asquith United Church on October 5^th, 1951.  Douglas and Michael were born in 1954 and 1956. From Humboldt, they moved to Gravelbourg, Watrous, and Rosetown before settling in Estevan in 1959. The family relocated to Saskatoon in 1967, where Ron continued to pursue a career at SaskTel until he retired in 1986. After retirement, Ron, Shirley, and a good friend, Ed Edwards, started up and ran E&R Telecom for several years until they retired completely. They then spent their summers in Saskatoon and winters in Arizona.

Ron was an active participant in the Kinsman and K40 clubs and a member of the United Church. He enjoyed curling, square dancing and skiing. His passion, though, was golf. Ron was a very accomplished golfer, winning the Saskatchewan Senior Men's Championship three times and playing in numerous National Championships. Ron was a Saskatchewan Senior Men's Team member, which won the 1992 Canadian Team Championship. The team was inducted into Saskatchewan's Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Ron was a dedicated husband to Shirley and a committed father to his two sons, two daughters-in-law, and grandfather to his eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was a generous and loving brother, brother-in-law, friend and neighbour. He greatly valued these relationships, which gave him many happy memories and support.

Ron is survived by his sons Douglas (Carol) and Michael (Debi); grandchildren, Matthew, Kathryn, Christopher, Ellen, Raegan, Ruth, Brian and Benjamin; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Michaela, Rosalie, Elizabeth, Hallie, Aidan, Clara and Sadie; his sisters-in-law, Dorothy (Don Topham) Vermeulen, Jean Pearson, Marlene Osterhout, Joan (Bill) Sweet and Gladys Whiteside.

Ron was predeceased by his wife, Shirley; his father, George Albert; mother, Margaret (Kirkpatrick Black Phillips) Whiteside; brothers-in-law, Bud Vermeulen, Lyle Osterhout, Don Pearson and brother Jim Whiteside.

The Funeral Service to honour Ron's life will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, May 30th, 2024, at the Saskatoon Funeral Home, (338-4th Ave N, Saskatoon).  We invite you to share your condolences with the family via www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sherbrooke Foundation, 401 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7H 2E7.