Obituary of Ronald David Minaker

Ronald David Minaker

05 August 1930 - 21 September 2026

Predeceased by his daughter Traci and his wife Nadine. Survived by his son David (Deborah), grandchildren James and Sabrina, and great grandson Rhys.

Except for the last three months, Dad was blessed with amazingly good health.  He had a wonderful life, with some of the best friends anyone could have asked for.

He both built and raced his own speedboats in his teens, was an excellent sailor, learned to pilot an aircraft, and had a life long love affair with automobiles, especially English ones, especially convertibles that went really fast.

Of all the things he was most proud of, it was his 60 plus year long marriage to Mom that made his life worth living. Mom was a great believer in the afterlife, Dad not so much. Either way one of them is in for a pretty big surprise!!

He loved his career as a greenhouse grower and never tired of getting his hands in the soil. He said many times that he never had a day that he didn’t look forward to going to work, we should all be that lucky.

He had a great sense of humour, travelled extensively with his favourite spot being Ireland, and was rather fond of a glass of Irish whiskey.  Dad enjoyed life and all it had to offer.  He used to remind us that in the greenhouse business, you weren’t allowed to be born, get married, or die in the spring. Like Mom, he also had impeccable timing!

Thanks to Patricia for making his life happy and contented since Mom’s passing.

He always swore that he wasn’t going to end up in a nursing home. He received his admittance letter to one on the day he died. I guess he had the last laugh after all!

A long life well lived. You’ve earned your rest Dad, see you later.