Obituary of Ronald Glenson Toop

Toop, Ronald Glenson Peacefully at the Smiths Falls Hospital on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at the age of 86. Beloved husband of Elizabeth "Libby" Toop. Loving father of Gary Toop, Gael (late Jeff) Young, Brenda (Karl) Benjamin. Forever missed by his grandchildren Savannah, Fiona, Sydney, and Jaimee. Survived by his brother Irwin and his daughter-in-law Jocelyn. Predeceased by his parents Orval and Harriet Toop, his siblings Lawrence, Ivan, Marilyn, and his son Graham. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Ron (or Ronnie to many who knew him) was born in Brockville, but spent most of his early life in Smiths Falls and the surrounding area, competing on a number of school teams, writing a sports column for the Smiths Falls Record News, and graduating from SFDCI to go on to the University of Toronto. There he ran on Varsity track teams, becoming a T-holder, and took 3 degrees, finishing with his PhD in English Literature. After years in Sudbury and London, devoted to teaching university at Laurentian and UWO and raising children with his wife of 60 years, Libby, he returned, children in tow, to the family farm near Toledo. Here he farmed, taught part-time at Carleton, wrote guest op-eds for the Kingston Whig-Standard, and taught as a teaching assistant in the Smiths Falls Alternative School (now TR Leger School) until his retirement in 2000. He also volunteered with RNJ Youth Services and the Rideau Environmental Action League, continuing the latter until shortly before his passing. He loved his family and he loved to travel, exploring Canada with his wife and, in their early years, their children, travelling to both coasts multiple times, taking routes less-traveled and visiting places near and remote, always interested in both flora and fauna, human and non-human, approaching all with warmth, kindness, curiosity and a wry twinkle in his eye for the quirks and foibles of others and no less of himself. Friends are invited to pay their respects at the Lannin Funeral Home on Friday, October 21 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. A funeral service will take place in the Chapel at 3:00pm. Interment to follow at St. Andrew's United Church Cemetery, Toledo. As expressions of sympathy, donations to Rideau Environmental Action League, Smiths Falls Community Food Bank, or Indspire would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lannin Funeral Home. Online condolences available at www.lannin.ca