With great sadness, we announce the passing of our father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather Ronald Laurence Desserre on May 14, 2025. Ron was born May 1, 1939, in Pinewood, ON and grew up in North Branch, ON.
Dad started working at a young age for his Uncle Laurence, but then he met June in Stratton, they soon married and had two daughters before proceeding to their life in Dryden where they completed the family with two sons. Dad worked several jobs including being a camp cook peeling thousands of potatoes (a precursor for his future career in the family perogy empire), working on the tugboats on Wabigoon Lake and driving pulp truck before becoming a heavy duty mechanic for the Woodlands division of the mill. Dad retired from the mill 31 years ago at the age of 55. Even though he spent many years of working long hours including riding a bus to bush camps, he held several part time jobs including running a well drilling business and owning a stock car with Uncle Gary.
Dad and Mom spent many years camping, fishing, and hunting with family and friends. Dad was a kind and gentle soul that helped family and friends with anything they asked of him. Mom and Dad designed and built the family home with their own hands and the help of friends and family. Dad would try to fix anything that needed fixing around the house or in the garage, he would always succeed but it might not be pretty. A trait/skill and stubbornness he passed onto his children. Dad’s striking blue eyes would light up when he saw his grandkids but would really sparkle when the great grandkids would come over (which they did often).
He is survived by daughter Maureen, grandson Dion; son Allan (Roberta) grandchildren Quinn, Riley, and Abi; son Randy (Terri), grandchildren Brady, Marissa, Taylor and Kayla; daughter Judy (predeceased) grandson Jay, great-grandchildren Avikka, Lyrika, and our newest addition JP; grandson Jeff, great-grandchildren Jett, Jaxx, Jaya and Jessa; granddaughter Jessica, great-grandchildren Ariana, Brock, and Easton; siblings Yvonne Chambers, Joan Turecki, Gerry (Marilyn) Desserre, Roger Desserre, Elaine (Noel) Laroque, Mickey (Cindy) Desserre, sister-in-law Lois Desserre, sister-in-law Doreen (Glen) Wrolstad and brother-in-law Russell Willis.
Dad had a long battle with dementia and is now in a better place. He was predeceased by his wife June (60+years), daughter Judy, great-granddaughter Brielle, his parents Edward and Florence, siblings Dale Desserre, Elsie (Chancellor) Pollard, Darlene (Alex) Chobator, Barb Wragg and brother-in-law Don Chambers and mom’s siblings.
The family would like to thank the staff at Princess Court for the wonderful care of our dad these past few years. Thank you to the DRHC and Dingwall Clinic staff for all of your kindness as well.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11 a.m.
at the First United Church with Jamie Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Kenora/Rainy River District, 618-9th St. North, Kenora, ON P9N 2S8
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