Obituary of Ronald Cabot Penney

Ronald Cabot Penney
June 15, 1933 – July 21, 2023
Irishtown, NL

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of a wonderful gentleman, the late Ronald Penney, at Western Long Term Care, Palliative Care, on Friday, July 21, 2023 at the age of 90 years.

A devoted employee at Bowaters Woodsland Department, he worked with the fire brigade at Bowaters where he put up signs for the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention Campaigns. Eventually they transferred him to Bowaters Boom Department as a heavy equipment operator.  In later years, he worked on the Indian Tug for Corner Brook Pulp and Paper. Dad retired at the age of 65 years but continued to work at Strawberry Hill Resort and Humber Valley Resort. Finally, at the age of 79, his wife, Sarah, and the family told him to unlace his work boots and take off his hard hat and work gloves. With a heavy heart and tearful eyes, he agreed. Dad took great pleasure in his work. He woke up every morning at 5 a.m. with a smile, ready to go. Dad always had a kind heart, and he was always there to help people and give to them. He was always there for us in good times and in bad. Anyone who knew him, loved him, and had the upmost respect for him. After our mother passed, he would often sit in his chair, looking towards Mount Patricia Cemetery, singing You Are My Sunshine and Amazing Grace. He will be going to meet mom again dressed in the suit he wore at their wedding 69 years ago.

Left to mourn with fond and loving memories are his 9 children: Anne (Clayton), Cletus (Janice), Rona (Floyd), Herbert, Grace (Lloyd), Viola, Danny, Linda (Andy) and Della; sons-in-law Jim and Wayne; grandchildren: CJ, Cletus (Katrina), Shane (Holly), Stephanie (Matt), Jasmine, Evan, Jerome (Hayley), Angie (Bill), Danielle (Katie), Pam (Lenny), James (Jessica), Crystal, Ricky, DJ (Corey), Jesse (Hannah), Devon (Melissa), Chantal (Victor); twenty great-grandchildren; sisters: Laura, Geraldine (Anthony) and Joan; Sisters-in-law Agnes and Carmelita; brother-in-law Edward (Celeste); special friends, his cat Missy as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, relatives and his bingo friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Sarah Anne, parents, Herbert and Gertrude Penney; his special daughter-in-law Sweet Noreen; parents-in-law George and Annie Mitchell; siblings Alma (Arthur), Kay (Levi), Herbert, Marjorie (Patrick) and Gilbert; and his granddaughter Penny Davis.

The family would like to thank all the Doctors, nurses and staff who took care of dad through his illness up until his passing, the Emergency Department at Western Memorial Regional Hospital, 3A and 4A of Western Memorial Regional Hospital; Community Health, especially Candice Hann, Western Long Term Care, Palliative Care Unit for their outstanding care and compassion shown towards our dad.

Visitation will be held on Sunday and Monday from the hours of 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 4 St. Mark’s Avenue, Corner Brook. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m. from All Hallows Parish, Humber Road with Father Lee Lainey officiating. Interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, flowers graciously accepted or donations may be made to Western Memorial Regional Hospital Foundation, Palliative Care Unit or the Diabetic Association.

The funeral mass can be livestreamed through the following link

https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=d8d05e6e-990c-4f33-a51a-e9cf22641f38