Obituaries

 

Ron Macnab

Passed 02/02/2025

Text:

Obituary For Ron Macnab

Ron Macnab (84) of Dartmouth passed away peacefully at home on February 2
surrounded by his loving family.

Son of Berthe (Corbeil) and Joe Macnab, Ron’s early years were split between St.Boniface, Manitoba, and Sudbury, Ontario.

Ron joined the Royal Canadian Navy while attending Laurentian University and was a member of Laurentian’s first graduating class.

Following his service as a naval officer, and while pursuing his MSc at Dalhousie University, he began his work with the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, which spanned six decades. Collaborating with scientists from all Arctic nations, he facilitated the first comprehensive digital map of the Arctic Ocean. Later in his career, his work was vital in the preparation of Canada’s submission to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also served for several years as a member of the Canadian Polar Commission.

Ron enjoyed many creative pursuits including carpentry, leatherwork, silkscreening, stained glass, and cooking. He started playing banjo while at sea and joined a barbershop choir later in life. Ron and his wife, Mary, were long-time subscribers to Neptune Theatre and Symphony Nova Scotia. He was a charter member of Dartmouth Sportsplex and a longstanding member of the British Automobile Touring Association of Nova Scotia.

Always up for adventure, Ron travelled to six continents. At the age of 70, he and Mary hiked the 800-km Camino Francés, and at the age of 75, they completed the 600-km Portuguese Camino. He delighted in driving his British sports cars and exploring with Mary in their vintage Volkswagen camping van.

For sixty years Ron was husband to Mary. He was father to Bruce (Margaret), Paul (Marianne Ward), Catherine (Scott), and Susan (Steve Quinn), grandfather to Josephine and Vivian, and brother to Helene Yellowlees.

Ron’s family would like to extend their thanks to the medical teams who took such good care of him, especially his hematologist, Dr. Amye Harrigan, his family doctors, Frank Lo and Michael Diab, the palliative care team, the home care workers from Paramed, and the VON.

A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 10, at the Fairbanks Centre, located at the entrance to Shubie Park, 54 Locks Road, Dartmouth.

Memorial donations may be made to Symphony Nova Scotia or Feed Nova Scotia.

Rest easy, Dad, with fair winds and following seas.

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Tributes

  • 2 TREES

    Bella Milani planted 2 trees in memory of Ron Macnab . - 02/16/2025

Condolences

  • 02/12/2025

    Masayo Williams

    My sincere condolences to the Macnab family. May the fondest memories offer you peace during this difficult time.

  • 02/12/2025

    Donald Forbes

    Dear Mary and all the family, As a long-time colleague at BIO, I remember Ron for his good nature and wry wit, his generosity, and his attention to detail. He inspired enthusiasm and made important contributions, including in building the international collaboration to produce the geological map of the Arctic Ocean, and his leadership in the Canadian submission under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Ron will be long remembered and sorely missed in the scientific community and as a resident of Dartmouth. With heartfelt condolences, Don Forbes

  • 02/11/2025

    Marian Kennedy

    Mary - Thinking of you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

  • 02/10/2025

    Robin and Marlene Falconer

    To Mary and family we are very sorry to hear of Ron' s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you . It's been a long time since we have seen you May thoughts and memories of Ron keep you strong

  • 02/10/2025

    Robin falconer

    Mary and family we are very sorry to hear of Ron's passing our thoughts and prayers are with you . It's been along time since we have seen you may the thoughts and memories of Ron keep you strong

  • 02/10/2025

    Catherine Driscol

    Sorry to read of Ron's passing. Reading about his life certainly sounds as if it was one well lived with you and family. May he rest in peace. Cathy O'Neill Driscoll

  • 02/09/2025

    Helen MacKinnon

    My sincere condolences to the whole family. Although it's been years since I've seen you, the Macnab family was a huge part of my life growing up. Every time I see a VW camper, I always think about the many trips we shared and the fun that we had at Wentworth Hostel, cross country skiing etc. I also remember the entertaining moustache cartoons that would show up on Catherine's school tests when we had to get them signed. Thinking of all of you and hoping that the many happy memories you have will bring some comfort and peace. Helen (MacKinnon) Boehm

  • 02/09/2025

    Mary Collins

    Mary, my heart goes out to you and your family. Please accept my condolences and know that you are in my thoughts. ~ Mary 2

  • 02/09/2025

    Harold Merklinger

    To the MacNab family, We were saddened to hear that Ron has passed. We remember him in his early years as a defence scientist at the Naval Research Establishment on Grove Street. After he departed for BIO, we had encounters as neighbours in Crichton Park, and at car events in Nova Scotia. He made noteworthy national and international contributions. Our sincere condolences, Harold Merklinger and Barb Trenholm.

  • 02/09/2025

    Ian Cumming

    Mary, so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed my time with Ron when he was Chairman organizing the British Motoring Festival some years ago. His dedication to the task at hand was articulate, meticulous and thorough. If you paid attention , you would catch his dry witty sense of humour. God bless you and yours. Sincerely, Bambi and Ian Cumming, BATANS.

  • 02/09/2025

    MarionSheridan

    Ron was one of the finest men I know. It helped he was married to my cousin Mary! I will miss his trips with Mary and sometimes family to Antigonish. Celebrate Ron well. Love and peace. Marion Sheridan, csm

  • 02/08/2025

    Ron & Lynne Gray

    Mary, please accept our heartfelt condolences in the passing of your beloved Ron. May your cherished memories ease your sorrow and grief, and bring you comfort and peace in knowing Ron is welcomed home in our Creator's loving arms. Sincerely, Ron & Lynne Gray (BATANS)

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