Obituary for Ronald W. Massel
Ronald William Massel
January 13, 1935 – April 24, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ronald William Massel. Ron passed away after a short battle with cancer on Sunday, April 24, 2022. He lived a long and happy life full of love and laughter. Ron grew up in the house he was born in on Park Street, Waterloo. It was a neighbourhood full of cousins and friends where the kids played outside all day and ran in and out of each other’s homes. He became a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the only baseball broadcast he could tune in on the family radio, and he played in a competitive league into his 20’s. As a boy, Ron delivered The Record. He remembered the end of WWII not because of its historical significance, but because the papers were late being dropped off and extra heavy to carry. Although he ended up living the majority of his long life in Kitchener, he always remained a Waterloo boy at heart.
He met Helen Lyon, the love of his life while on a boys’ weekend in Port Elgin. Mom stood up another guy to go to a dance with Dad, and the rest is history. They were married on June 9, 1962, and just missed their 60th wedding anniversary by a couple of months. He worked most of his life as a bookkeeper. He loved working with numbers and kept meticulous files. Ron finished his working life as a letter carrier with Canada Post where he carried dog biscuits in his pockets. They often ended up a mushy mess in the laundry. He continued to do taxes each year for family and friends. In retirement, Helen and Ron loved their winters in Palmetto, FL where a large contingent of friends also went to escape the cold. Fun times and silly pranks aplenty. Ron loved a good laugh, and always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Ron is predeceased by his parents, George Herbert Massel (1967) and Melinda Johanna Kuntz (1984) and his two brothers Raymond George (2012) and Harry Leon (2010). He is also predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Therese Massel (1988), Brenda Lyon (2015), Eleanor Lyon (2021), and Jo-Ann Lyon (2021).
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Helen (nee Lyon) and his three daughters, Stephanie (Jonathan McKee), Andrea (Jerry Kovach) and Jennifer. Beloved Papa of Summer Dodsworth and sadly missed by her Dad, James Dodsworth. His absence at family gatherings will be felt by the brothers and sisters-in-law left behind: Dona Massel, Ted Lyon, Marlene and Doug Moore, Norm and Marnie Lyon, Doug Lyon and Shirley Wickens, Murray and Dorothy Wright, and Neil Lyon. He will be fondly remembered by many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ron's family will receive relatives and friends from 12-12:45 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St. Kitchener (519) 749-8467. Memorial Service in the Chapel on Friday at 1 p.m. Masks to be worn for the visitation and service. Reception to follow. Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy donations to Hospice Waterloo Region would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home). Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Ron's memorial.
January 13, 1935 – April 24, 2022
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ronald William Massel. Ron passed away after a short battle with cancer on Sunday, April 24, 2022. He lived a long and happy life full of love and laughter. Ron grew up in the house he was born in on Park Street, Waterloo. It was a neighbourhood full of cousins and friends where the kids played outside all day and ran in and out of each other’s homes. He became a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, the only baseball broadcast he could tune in on the family radio, and he played in a competitive league into his 20’s. As a boy, Ron delivered The Record. He remembered the end of WWII not because of its historical significance, but because the papers were late being dropped off and extra heavy to carry. Although he ended up living the majority of his long life in Kitchener, he always remained a Waterloo boy at heart.
He met Helen Lyon, the love of his life while on a boys’ weekend in Port Elgin. Mom stood up another guy to go to a dance with Dad, and the rest is history. They were married on June 9, 1962, and just missed their 60th wedding anniversary by a couple of months. He worked most of his life as a bookkeeper. He loved working with numbers and kept meticulous files. Ron finished his working life as a letter carrier with Canada Post where he carried dog biscuits in his pockets. They often ended up a mushy mess in the laundry. He continued to do taxes each year for family and friends. In retirement, Helen and Ron loved their winters in Palmetto, FL where a large contingent of friends also went to escape the cold. Fun times and silly pranks aplenty. Ron loved a good laugh, and always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Ron is predeceased by his parents, George Herbert Massel (1967) and Melinda Johanna Kuntz (1984) and his two brothers Raymond George (2012) and Harry Leon (2010). He is also predeceased by his sisters-in-law, Therese Massel (1988), Brenda Lyon (2015), Eleanor Lyon (2021), and Jo-Ann Lyon (2021).
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Helen (nee Lyon) and his three daughters, Stephanie (Jonathan McKee), Andrea (Jerry Kovach) and Jennifer. Beloved Papa of Summer Dodsworth and sadly missed by her Dad, James Dodsworth. His absence at family gatherings will be felt by the brothers and sisters-in-law left behind: Dona Massel, Ted Lyon, Marlene and Doug Moore, Norm and Marnie Lyon, Doug Lyon and Shirley Wickens, Murray and Dorothy Wright, and Neil Lyon. He will be fondly remembered by many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ron's family will receive relatives and friends from 12-12:45 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St. Kitchener (519) 749-8467. Memorial Service in the Chapel on Friday at 1 p.m. Masks to be worn for the visitation and service. Reception to follow. Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy donations to Hospice Waterloo Region would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home). Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Ron's memorial.