Ronald Mougenel

Ronald Charles Anthony Mougenel aka “Ron”, “Mouge”, “Ronny”, “Chuck”, “Sweet Chuck”, “Chuckie”, “Uncle Ron”, “Buddy”, “Papa” and sometimes “George” passed peacefully on April 20th, 2025, at home with his loving family by his side after succumbing to kidney failure sustained when the wolverine took down the helicopter he was flying. Ron was a storyteller and 50% of his stories were true, you just never knew which 50%! Growing up in Toronto and raised by his grandmother, nothing came easy. Never one to wallow, Ron’s early years provided the foundation and inspiration to become the most incredible husband, father, and grandpa; an accolade, which Ron realized early in life, was the only accomplishment that truly mattered. Ron, an all-round athlete excelled especially at football, baseball, and track. Although he played hockey as a self-professed “tough-guy” he always said his best move on the ice was the ‘element of surprise’… if you know, you know! His records and newspaper articles of his time at Danforth Technical School were preserved in a precious tin box, always easily accessible if ever we needed a reminder of his athletic prowess! Ron graduated from D.T.S. and spent time in the Army training as a structural draftsman. He worked his entire 42-year career for MS Yolles a feat unheard of today. Hard working, loyal and true craftsman, with determination and tenacity he ushered in the computer era as a last remaining pioneer of his trade. It was in high school, at a dance, where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Ann (nee Dillon). They married in 1966, setting the bar high of what a successful marriage could look like when two people are in love, but also best friends. In the early 70s, they began their family and set in motion a lifetime of amazing memories and friendships. Many of which occurred on the ski slopes, hockey rinks, volleyball courts and at their cottage on the beautiful shores of Baptiste Lake. But the role he loved most in life was that of Dad. Dad to Amy (Scott McLellan) and Ryan (Kimberly Goff) and to so many of our friends that needed an ear, a motivational “life lesson” or just a rotten tomato in the face, you name it Chuckie was there. He was our rock, our moral compass, our humble cheerleader, our unsung hero. We are so fortunate and thankful for the lifetime of memories and stories that will continue to live on, influence and most importantly bring a smile to the faces of his beloved granddaughter’s Reese Rose and Sloane Lily. An avid fisherman and beer-drinker and, more often than not, combined these two pursuits which involved having a really big tackle box, but never really catching any fish! He loved early morning drives to the rink, “boy banter”, cold beer on the deck at the cottage; bulldogs; Motown and Willy Nelson, old western movies, and the Hallmark channel. He was a glutton for punishment, as a lifelong Buffalo Bills and Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He could hold his own at horseshoes, darts, cribbage and cards, but in later years, was often banished to the B table. He enjoyed birdwatching and squirrel relocating (119 or 1 relocated 118 times!); creating cartoons for his granddaughters; his riding lawn mower and little blue truck; bungee cords and baseball hats; french fries and fondues; Peterborough’s free zoo and ice cream… the man loved his ice cream! He loved telling stories and re-telling stories. He was the life of the party and to know him was to love him. As only fitting, please join us in celebrating the man, the myth, the legend in a celebration of life to be held at the Peterborough Canoe Museum the first weekend in July, details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, please consider the charities closest to your heart, raising a beer and being good to one another as the world is a crazy place right now. “It’s not the time in your life, it’s the life in your time….” Bruce Springsteen.

Ronald Mougenel

December 7, 1942 - April 20, 2025