Ronald Leslie Adams

Ron should have worn a cape as he was a true courageous super hero.  After more than a year’s struggle, he lost his battle with cancer in the hospital, however was at home until the last few days.

Ron was a hard worker from a very early age starting with 3 paper routes a day.  Over the years, he was a real estate agent, courier, foreman of Stay Sales Ltd., mine & plant dismantler, salvage operator, oilfield winch and picker operator lastly, partner of Ray Butler in Econnect Truck Transfer.  He was always a trucker at heart spending many days on the road and in driving related jobs.  Ron loved the northern country, even the ice roads and difficult conditions.  “Always keep the left door open when driving on a frozen lake”.  He was very proud of his journeyman crane ticket and could set huge equipment down on the size of a stamp.  Ron was a cool operator.  He could fascinate us forever with his stories of his travels and adventures.

Ron founded Civic Recycling and Equipment in 1994 and sold it in 2002.  While there he had never really even used a computer however before long he was taking them apart and reconditioning them.

Ron was always a loyal friend, honest business man, solid husband, imaginative entrepreneur and true Blue Jays fan even to the end when we watched them win their last game.  We travelled to Toronto and Seattle several times to see their games.  He wanted to get a Blue Jays tattoo but never was healthy enough to do it.  I kept reminding Ron that he hated needles but he said he could tolerate it for that.

Ron's greatest achievements were his five daughters,  Kari Carr (Ron) of Watrous, Saskatchewan, Rhonda Overby (Blair) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dalice Hinson (Tony) of Airdrie, Alberta, Heidi Hadubiak (Greg) of Edmonton, Alberta and Kristi Adams (Clayton) of Lethbridge, Alberta.  He had a fierce pride of them.  Then came the grand kids, Carson (Vanessa) and Karli Carr of La Ronge, Saskatchewan, Brett Overby of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Rob James (Sarah) of Okotoks, Alberta, McKenzie, Kennedy and Rylee Hadubiak of Edmonton, Alberta, and the great grand kids, Ciara and Paisley Carr, Briella, Leo and Emmitt James.  Ron is also survived by his wife, Lucia Gayle Adams; mother, Lillian Foster; his brothers, Frank Adams (Joan) of Lethbridge and John Adams (Karen); and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father, John Adams (Elizabeth), and his brother Terry Adams.

Our first date was May 31, 1994 and even though he was unaware of it, I knew he was all I wanted.  I moved in with him in August that year.  There was no talk of marriage until I won our wedding in the Calgary Sun’s contest.  He had torn it out of the paper and handed it to me saying, “Here, see if you can win this”.  I DID!  July 8, 2005 we were married in Toronto with 4 other winners at the Molson Indy.  To the end, he would always say “Who knew she would win?”

Ron loved camping and we spent many happy times with Betty and Bob Dubois around Alberta.  We would camp and garage sale.  He could not pass a farmers’ market, garage sale or estate auction without checking it out.  Last summer we even went golfing and he had never golfed before.  Bob said he was a natural and he justified it with “It’s just like playing pool – figure out the angles”.

Ron could do more math in his head than most people who would have to rely on a calculator.  It was very frustrating for him when the cancer in his brain took that from him.

He had a special bond with his cat, Nancy, who stuck close to him all the time, greeted him at the door and slept on his chest at night.  We referred to her as Nurse Nancy.  She keeps searching for him and watching out the window for him.  

Ron was the best husband, my hero, my blue job guy, my protector, my GPS, my comic relief, my knight in shining armour, my world.

I am truly grateful for all the friends and family who he enjoyed over the years, who offered support and prayers and made his life even fuller.  Ron formed a lot of solid friendships.  Special thanks to our Dr. Supriya Goyal, who has been so kind and concerned and certainly gone above and beyond for us.

Ron was adamant that he didn’t want a service, just a party so there will be one at a later date.

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