Obituary of Ronald De Val

De VAL. Ronald James — On October 29, 2013, in Humber River Hospital, Church Street, Toronto, Ronald James De Val, 92, loving husband of the late Lois De Val, nee Russell, devoted father of Dorothy (John) and Carol and grandfather of Susanna and Mark McCleary. Born in London, England and an RAF veteran of WWII, serving in Africa and Italy, Ron immigrated to Canada in 1948 and worked as a tea salesman for J. Lyons, marrying and then becoming an early player in the developing worlds of photography and sound recording. His entrepreneurial spirit made him a natural salesman, from selling kosher tea in Montreal to marketing tape recorders for 3M. Gaining a BA in 1972 from the University of Toronto, he found a fulfilling new career in teaching with the Etobicoke Board of Education. In retirement he worked as a court registrar with the Ontario Supreme Court and later recorded books for the blind (Voiceprint) while maintaining hobbies of golf, sailing and soaring. Almost to the end, he remained aware of everything around him. A celebration of his life will be held at Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto M4G 3A8 Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Telephone 416-487-4523. Donations to the Salvation Army would be much appreciated.