SIMMONS. Ronald “Ron” Vernum - age 91, of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2021 in Yarmouth Regional Hospital. Born in Rumford, England, on June 17, 1929 he was a son to the late Charles Stanley and Beatrice Simmons. Born in the great depression and growing up in the war, Ron had lots of material for the stories he would always tell us. Too young to be enlisted in the war effort, he worked as a volunteer medic helping the doctors and nurses with whatever was needed.
Ron crossed the ‘pond’ to begin his adventure in Canada in 1954, where he began his career as a machinist designing mouldings and millwork for a growing national company in Toronto. His 22-year career with this company transferred him to Nova Scotia as general manager to start new subsidiaries for the company. The last transfer was to Yarmouth, and he completely fell in love with the town and area. So when the call came to transfer again, he refused to leave his beloved Yarmouth and retired early from that career. Still a young man, he was self-employed for a time and began making and installing vinyl windows for a locally owned company. Ron was honoured when he became a Canadian Citizen in 1980 and took his oath in front of the judge in Digby, NS. Skilled carpenter, electrician, plumber and all-round tradesperson, Ron could create and build solutions for anything. Finish work, structural and even crafts, he was always making something. When his grandsons brought home the plain wood blocks from their scout troop, he was able to create and help them build fast little race cars, impressive transport trucks, lots of laughs and great memories. Always there to cheer them on and happy to see the glow in their face when their entry won a prize.
Ron enjoyed line dancing and was a member of the Bluenose Twirlers; he was a member of Arcadia Silver Seniors and loved playing cards until he lost his eyesight. His memory was sharp, and he could recall poetry he learned as a child in school in air raid shelters during the war. He would always regale everyone with stories of the war and what it was like living under those conditions during that time in England. He always had a great sense of humour, and he and his grandsons would banter back and forth sharing outrageous jokes. Ron achieved his dream of living on one of the many lakes in Yarmouth county for over 40 years in the family home he built.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Audrey (Ingram) Simmons; daughter Donna Simmons, Summerville; son Scott Simmons, Pleasant Lake; grandchildren, Matthew (Donna) Outhouse, Moncton NB, Kevin (Renee) Outhouse, Quispamsis NB, Jason Simmons, Pleasant Lake, Jennifer Simmons, Pleasant Lake; great-grandchildren, Kassady Simmons, Xander Outhouse, Oliver Outhouse and Spencer Arseneau. Besides his parents, Ron was predeceased by his brothers, Jim, Len and John. Cremation has taken place under the care of Sweeny’s Funeral Home and Crematorium, Yarmouth. A celebration of Ron’s life will take place on July 24, 2021 at 2 P.M. from Sweeny’s Funeral Home / Jacob’s Loft with Rev A.J. Plaizier officiating. A funeral webcast will be available by visiting Sweeny’s Funeral Home Website. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations in memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to sweenys@sweenysfuneralhome.net, and you may sign the guestbook at www.sweenysfuneralhome.net