Ron Aron

Born: August 23, 1944 in South Africa

Died: June 11, 2025 in Victoria B.C.

Plot: Row K – Plot 4

Biography:
The following eulogy was delivered by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough on June 13, 2025

Ron, Raphael ben Mordechai was a man of opinion. He was hard working, he liked things just so, be it marinating the meat for the Sunday barbeque, parking his car in just the right hillside spot to watch the car racing below, the right Scotch, or the right flavour of chocolate.

He also loved the Beach Boys, and the death of Brian Wilson on the same day as Ron Aron does not go unnoticed. So many songs of his era – and mine – resonate with a time and place, and hopefully he will get a chance to hear those songs again. Fun, Fun Fun, or In My Car!

Ron had a rough start to life, but came to own several businesses, his second business was a chocolate factory, where his taste buds were called upon frequently, to perfect a certain flavour. He continued to be fascinated by chocolate, even watching TV shows about chocolate processes – always with running commentary of his own.

He adored his daughter Belinda, and his grandson Ryder, moving to Canada with Elsa to be closer to them both. Ryder remembers Ron always test-driving not just his cars, but his Lazy Boy chairs, spending hours choosing just the right chair, where they would then watch the latest – always the latest – movies together. Just right was important to Ron.

Ron was a man with a big heart, a man generous to a fault, sometimes emptying out his ATM to buy that big bouquet of flowers. He was a man with a ready sense of humour. “Picture this” he would exclaim, and he would then launch into one of his stories. A laugh and a story, a story and a laugh – both were part of his being. For all the humour, and all the stories, Ron was that person who went straight to the point.

At times he could be perceived as abrupt, perhaps too opinionated, but as he said, life is too short. Life was certainly too short to eat bad food, and he was known to complain if the food didn’t measure up. During my last visit, Ron asked plaintively for some chopped herring, that most South African of dishes. He would say: I’ve worked my entire life, I’ve done my dues, if I don’t like it, I have earned the right to say so. He worked hard, played hard, loved hard.

As with many men of his era, he struggled with open emotion, if it didn’t entail complaining about food. Speaking of love, be it to his wife or his children, was just not what he did, but he worked hard to provide for everyone. Howard, his son, said he always wanted to do the best he could, with the circumstances he had. He wanted the best for those around him, even as he struggled to express it.

Ron always believed in moderation in everything – even as he used to drink a two-litre bottle of coke nightly! That ended, never to be taken up again. I’m not sure having a wall-sized TV was moderate, but I guess there is always bigger and newer. Moderation has its own timeline for us all. A man who lived with less, could now live with more.

Ryder remembers his Zayde always wanting to ensure everyone felt included, and he certainly felt much loved by his grandfather. Be it watching car racing or movies, or sharing stories or meals grandfather and grandson had a special bond.

Ron’s last words were, “Leave me alone. I’m sleeping.” Yes, you are, Ron. May your rest be gentle and sweet. Enjoy the heavenly chocolates, and who knows, maybe even angelic car races. You will be missed. God only knows.

Parents:
Joan Aron
Mordechai Aron

Spouse: Elsa Aron

Children:
Belinda Aron
Howard Aron