Ron’s Story

(Sakura House was not yet built when Ron’s story took place)
Ron (Hawk) loved laughter and was famous for his constant jokes. He found using laughter in his last days made it easier to enjoy the precious company of  his wife Cathy and his family and friends. In those last days & weeks Ron taught everyone around him a lot about how to live in the moment and to take pleasure in the simplest things life has to offer. As his cancer robbed him of mobility, he longed to be outside, spend time with Cali – his “Goofy dog”, to watch sports on his big screen TV and snuggle with Cathy. He wanted to be home. Simple wishes of a man in the hospital and facing his mortality at 56.

Sakura House would have been a perfect match for Ron and Cathy – a place that is wheelchair accessible, with beautiful grounds to explore, and all his care needs met. Family and friends would have come when needed, and Cathy could have leaned on the staff and volunteers while she devoted all her love and energy to sharing time with her husband.

Before Ron died, he enthusiastically endorsed the idea of sharing his story to help explain why Oxford County needs a residential hospice and why Sakura House is the perfect place to create this environment of quality caring and peacefulness at the end-of-life. Ron’s friends and family have honoured this request by speaking up at every opportunity and participating in fundraising events with enthusiasm – in general, becoming Sakura House ambassadors.