Obituary of Ron Sprang

Sprang , Leonard Ronald Dryden In his 97th year, Ron passed away on January 27th 2024 at Mariposa House Hospice. Survived by his daughter Sharon Mascarin and her husband Victor; the two bright lights of his life, his two grandsons, Kevin and Daniel Mascarin; sons Michael and Dennis Sprang both pre deceased; Ron’s treasured wives Denise (deceased 1990) and Mary (deceased 2016). Son Jeffrey Sprang. Ron Sprang (don’t you dare call him Leonard) was born in Toronto on October 29, 1927. The only child to Leonard and Bertha Sprang, he was a cherished son who excelled in school and was a gifted classically trained pianist. The family moved to London, Ontario where Ron attended high school at South Collegiate. He met Denise Klein there and they married in 1949. They honeymooned at Torpitt Lodge on Sparrow Lake where Ron had been the Summer musical director while he was in high school. They both loved the area and would spend many summers up north throughout the years. Ron and Denise lived in Penn State, Pennsylvania for the first two years of their marriage. Ron had secured a position at Penn State University immediately after high school. They moved back to Canada in 1951 and eventually settled in Erindale Woodlands (Mississauga) in 1959 where they stayed until 1985. Ron’s vocational experience included working in computer programming for Ferranti Packard and an illustrious career in Personnel at The Toronto Board of Education. Ron and Denise built their dream home in Severn Bridge, Ontario in 1981 with the plan to retire there full time in 1986. After retiring they spent winters in Florida and summers on the Severn. They enjoyed almost forty one years of marriage until Denise’s passing in 1990. Ron was not a man who enjoyed being lonely and was fortunate enough to find love again when he reconnected with an old family friend and neighbour, Mary. They married in July, 1991. They enjoyed travelling and spending winters in Fort Myers, Florida. They were married for almost 25 years before Mary’s passing in 2016. Ron was a lifetime member of Lions (Erindale and Washago clubs) and took great pride in the fundraising efforts he participated in for almost 70 years. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandsons and celebrating their successes and accomplishments. When asked how one lives to be 96, Ron would say, “One rye and water per day and as many cookies (or any sugary treat) as you like” are the keys to a long life. He said in his final days that he never met a flavour of ice cream that he didn’t like. That was Ron. We are proud of the fact that Ron’s wish to stay at home was fulfilled (until the last three weeks of his life) and we would like to thank the wonderful PSWs and health care workers who came into our home to support us through the last year. Thank you, Nancy, Joanne, Margaret and the nurses and PSWs at Mariposa House Hospice for going above and beyond in supporting Ron and the rest of the family through difficult times. As per Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be at Springcreek Cemetery, Mississauga in the Spring where Ron will be laid to rest with Denise and their two sons. The family requests that donations be made in honour of Ron to Mariposa House Hospice in Severn through the Simcoe Funeral Home, 38 James Street E., Orillia (705) 327 0221. Messages of condolence are welcomed at www.simcoefuneralhome.ca