SWEENEY; Ronald Peter
(1925 ~ 2015)
Ron Sweeney Senior (Papa) passed peacefully from this world into the presence of the Lord on November 21, 2015. His irreplaceable love, dedication and humour will be greatly missed by his most loving and faithful wife, Mary, and children Ron (Bev), George (Cheryl), Mark (Janet), Kerry (Martin), Dan (Lana), Kas (Dale, deceased) and Mag (Takashi), 29 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and countless extended family members and friends. Ron grew up in Vancouver, the 11th of 13 children. After serving in the Canadian Army, he attended UBC and received a degree in physical education. He married his childhood sweetheart in 1950 (65 years of marriage) and moved to the small rural community of Abbotsford to begin his teaching career at Philip Sheffield High School and later at Abbotsford Senior High. His legendary teaching and coaching tenure spanned 33 years and during that time he inspired, encouraged and shaped thousands of young people. After retiring from teaching in 1985, he continued his commitment to public service with terms on Abbotsford City Council, years as chairman of the board of Prospera Credit Union and other community involvements. He was a noted public speaker for numerous charitable organizations giving talks with humour and wit. In 2012 he was proclaimed Abbotsford's Citizen of the Year. He was honoured that his family name was chosen for the Sweeney Neighbourhood Centre at Abbotsford Senior Secondary.
Ron was a man of active faith in God and was a faithful servant of St. Ann's Parish, demonstrating these qualities with everyone he came in contact with. He was active in his Catholic Church community, serving with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and in multiple other capacities. In 2010 he received Pope Benedict's Benemerenti medal for faithful service. Ron was a loving and dedicated family man. He created a play area on his acreage for his own and all the neighbourhood kids to participate in sports activities. Ron was a lifetime member of Ledgeview Golf Club. He loved music and was an enthusiastic singer. He grew up around the family piano, sang many years in church choirs, performed with the famous Chalk Spots (teachers quartet) and was a celebrity bass with the Sweeney Singers. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, November 25th at 7:30 pm at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Ave., Abbotsford. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated there on Thursday, November 26th at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ann's St. Vincent de Paul Society.