I first knew Ron in the early 70s when I was a Graduate Student at the University of Toronto. I lived in student housing; he in a divine Victorian in bohemian Yorkville. Ron and his beautiful wife Robin offered the most open of friendship and introduction to the best of Ontario life in the shape of the arts, food, wine and ski fields. He was one of the most quietly assured people I had ever met, without even a trace of arrogance. He always made you feel safe without effort. The chastest of sybarites I would want to take share a desert island with him. A man for all occasions. For ever after.

I met Ron in September 1968 when we both moved to Canada, he from Australia and myself from England. We were colleagues in a middle school in the east end of the city. He was the guidance counsellor and I was a Grade 8 (Year 8) teacher. The following May we both accompanied our students to Ottawa, the Nation's capital. During some free teacher time Ron was outside the parliament buildings when he encountered Pierre Trudeau, the Prime Minister, on his way to question period. Security was a great deal more relaxed in those days and Ron being Ron approached Mr. Trudeau and said "Prime Minister, I bring you greetings from Australia". Quick as a flash, the bilingual Trudeau shook his hand and replied "Thank you cobber". I never had the privilege to meet Pierre Trudeau although I was, and still am, a huge admirer of the man. However, I was fortunate enough to call Ron my friend for over forty years and in different ways I feel blessed that both touched my life in different ways.