Obituary of Cyril Ronald DeMara

Ron died peacefully, at home, with his beloved wife, Patricia, by his side. He was a loyal friend, competitive sportsman, pilot, proud father/grandfather/great-grandfather, and devoted husband.

Ron was born June 12, 1932, in Hamilton, Ontario.  He was the youngest of four children in a very active household of two girls, sandwiched between his eldest brother and himself. The family relocated to Toronto in his early years, and he was soon enrolled at Upper Canada College, where he made lifelong memories and friends.  He was the 1950 Class President and excelled in keeping the “old boys” all connected. Ron followed his father’s lead and pursued a career in commercial real estate, shortly after high school.  He readily made friends in the industry and was the second Canadian elected to the Board of the National Institute of Real Estate Brokers in the USA. He served as President of SIOR in 1967 and, most notably, was instrumental in the assembly of the lands for the present day Yorkdale Mall.

Ron married Joyce Rowland in 1955, had three daughters and blossomed into Super Dad/camp counselor. Throughout his lifetime, the activity schedule never diminished, and he dared his children and grandchildren to “keep up.” Sailing, golf, swimming, waterskiing, snow skiing, skating, camping, canoeing, tennis (to name just a few) were all part of the daily adventures and each day was greeted with a bellowing welcome (no matter the weather), “it’s a BEAUTIFUL DAY – get out of bed, you’re missing the best part!”

After his divorce in 1971, Ron was a “single bachelor,” always maintaining an outward appearance of the fun-loving party goer. In 1980, his world changed forever as he fell head over heels in love with Patricia Robinson, a widow with three school-aged children. Just shy of 43 years of marriage, they travelled the world together, celebrated six children in a blended family, spent many long summers in their beloved Muskoka and winters in Naples, Florida.

He was a very lucky man, with a charmed life one often only reads about in fairy tales. He loved telling stories at the dinner table and could never get enough of all the “little ones” jumping into the big bed at the cottage for toast and jam.

Ron leaves behind his wife of forty-two years, Patricia; his children, Leize Perlmutter (David), Kathleen Dettlaff (Jan), Persis Craik (Tim), his stepchildren, Stephen Robinson (Marion), David Robinson (Laurie) and Carolyn Robinson (Kim) as well as 14 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. 

The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers for their devoted 24-hour care.

The family will be holding a private family service. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sunnybrook Foundation or Grace-Church-On-The-Hill. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

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