Obituary of Ronald Melvin Bright

Ronald Bright, BASc (Mech), MBA — Dedicated Family and Ford ManOakville — Ronald Bright, 86, loving husband of Dorothy for 63 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, Monday, January 20, 2020 in the ICU at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, following a gallant battle with multiple lengthy illnesses.He is survived by his wife Dorothy (Tomlinson), daughters Karen (Michel Tétreault) of Kingston ON, Kathy (Sam Manfredi) of Myrtle Beach SC, sons Mark (Samantha Tullett) of Burlington ON, Paul (Kristine Nash) of Niagara Falls ON, and ten grandchildren aged 10 to 31, stretching from Vernon BC to Yellowknife NT to Halifax NS, plus their first great-grandchild, Harper, who brought Ron and the family much joy in recent visits. Ron and Dorothy are proud of their family, including grandchildren Nicholas (Nicole); Jacob (Jade and daughter Harper), Madeleine (Maxence); Chloe, Henry, Finn, Fraser, Andrea, Nicholas and Hannah. Born and raised in Woodstock, ON, the son of Pansy Bright and stepdad George Morgan, grandson of Margaret and William Bright, Ron became a long-time resident of Oakville. Ron enjoyed over 63 years of marriage to his loving wife Dorothy. They seemed destined to a life together from the moment she “stole” his bicycle and heart in Woodstock, where they grew up across the street from one another. Ron’s academic ability and work ethic were recognized early when he graduated high school with a remarkable three Firsts in mathematics, earning him both the newly established Hays scholarship, provided by a local manufacturing firm and a Rotary scholarship. This made attending Queen’s University at Kingston a possibility, for the smart, but modest means young man. Ron studied engineering at Queens, graduating in 1956. Starting with Ford Motor Company straight out of school as a newly minted mechanical engineer, Ron’s career spanned over 43 years at Ford, rising to Director, Environment, Energy & Vehicle Safety, then to semi-retiring as a consultant for Ford Canada and the Engineering Society. Ron’s career traced many Ford locations, starting in Windsor at Product Engineering, then the Truck Engineering Group, often moving between Oakville, Windsor, Brampton, Detroit, and back to Oakville COB again as he took on increasingly senior roles, culminating in Oakville where he headed the Environmental & Safety group, over time, reporting to several Ford Motor Company of Canada presidents as their trusted “Executive Engineer”. His accomplishments were many, including leading the institution of safety belts at Ford Canada, managing the industrial & marine turbine market offering and heading the Ford alternate fuels program. Ron was a true-blue Ford man, contributing to company success in many capacities, while enjoying most every moment.On top of a hectic work and relocation schedule, Ron also earned his MBA at night from McMaster University, with the inclusion of several University of Windsor transfer credits. Of course this made the process longer, but Ron kept at it until completion, his graduation attended in Hamilton by his entire, beaming family.Proudly wearing his iron ring, with son-in-law Michel and grandson Jacob, Ron was a dedicated long-time member of Professional Engineers Ontario. Ron and lifelong friend Cliff Wright put their fabrication skills to good use building the Wrights a unique single-level residence in Woodstock. Together the families often spent fun times in town and on “Uncle Cliff’s” Lake Erie houseboat, fishing and swimming together for hours. This was where Ron lost his first pair of glasses “to the deep” during a “swimmer overboard” rescue event, the subject of much hilarity for years after.Ron & Dorothy took their young family camping at Bon Echo provincial park, where they’d canoe, walk trails and enjoy marshmallows around the campfire. One year the family even spent the whole summer camping, mom in charge Monday-Friday, with Dad driving up to join on weekends after work. A new tent trailer, aluminum “car topper” boat and outboard motor soon brought organized mayhem to these family trips, facilitating visits to Key Largo, Florida and Orlando with the opening of Walt Disney World (Ford Preferred Pass in hand), to the East Coast and Myrtle Beach. Sharing his love of fishing with his children and grandchildren, Ron took them to various local fishing holes to teach them while young. A golf enthusiast, Ron also enjoyed rounds with family, especially son-in-law Sam in Boca Raton, Bermuda, Myrtle Beach and the Oakville area, recently recalling with a grin his hole-in-one witnessed by Kathy & Sam. Ever passionate about dogs, Ron loved all those they saw, fostered and rescued. Although allergic, early on, his resolve to have a dog-free home was demolished when teenaged Kathy suggested they go and “just look” at pups of a new breed. Of course, they soon drove home with Tiffany, a sweet natured Cockapoo. Oliver was his latest constant companion, tucking in beside Ron on his recliner to enjoy a western movie, war documentary - particularly featuring Churchill, travel log, or PBS special. Making Oakville their home for 50 years, Ron and Dorothy have enjoyed the last five years of condo living overlooking Bronte harbour where they could breakfast with friends at McDonalds and Dorothy could easily walk the dog. Many may recall Ron and buddies eagerly plotting the path of lottery numbers, discussing politics and world events, unraveling crosswords or solving Sudoku to challenge their minds and stay current. He enjoyed meeting up with colleagues at the regular Ford retirement luncheons, keeping abreast of automotive and alternate fuel developments. Ron had traveled extensively with his job, taking his wife with him whenever possible, sparking their love of Bermuda in particular. After retirement he enjoyed travel with friends and his children, kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland with lifelong friends Murdoch & Jenny Jefferson, heading to Britain, France and Monaco with Karen & Michel to check out the opulent Monte Carlo Casino, Bermuda with Mark & Kathy and several more times to scooter, shop and golf with Kathy & Sam, repeating the adventure to golf in Myrtle Beach, and more local outings with the rest of the family. A mere six years ago, Ron & Dorothy ventured to Halifax to attend the University graduation of their eldest grandson, Nicholas, and last year Ron Face-Timed into his wedding, watching from Oakville. Ron enjoyed many family celebrations in Niagara Falls, Burlington and Oakville, often enjoying his “trademark” favourites, steak or roast beef and potatoes, surrounded by children telling Grandpa their stories.In recent years, Ron traveled vicariously, through TV documentaries and with Karen & Michel calling from Dunkirk, the Great Wall of China, and the Prime Meridien in Greenwich; Kathy & Sam from Hawaii, Italy and Argentina; Mark, Samantha & family recounting the sights of Big Ben, Harry Potter land and London Bridge; Paul & Kristine lending them Molly to dog-sit while traveling to Myrtle Beach, the Caribbean islands and Mexico; with grandchildren checking in from points across Canada. Ron loved to hear about new sights, people, history and culture. He never stopped being fascinated by the world around him.Ron and Dorothy shared a love of family, friends, good food, and four-legged furry buddies. Among other things, Karen has inherited her Dad’s love of history and knowledge, Kathy shares his love of travel to witness the beauty of the ocean and trees, Mark inherited Ron’s sharp mind and acute analytical abilities, and Paul echoes his Dad’s inherent good nature and believing in the best of everyone …. and doughnuts.Donations to the Oakville Humane Society in lieu of flowers are appreciated.