NEWS

I'm sad to inform you that Ron Chong passed away on Sunday, October 28, 2018.

Prior to joining The Toronto Optimists Ron marched with the Golden Monarchs. Ron joined The Optimists at the end of the 1963 season playing lead Soprano. Ron 'aged-out' in 1969 but he continued working with the corps by helping instruct the horn line.

In later years Ron played with Toronto Signals. When the Optimists Alumni was formed Ron joined. Ron left the alumni at the end of the 2014 season to care for Josie, his wife; however, his heart was also with the corps and its members. When the Optimists Alumni went to Indianapolis this past summer, Ron came along for the ride.

Not long after we returned from Indianapolis Ron was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away, at 2:25 this morning (Sunday, October 28, 2018).

The Optimists Alumni extend our sincere condolences to Josie, Ron's wife, to Rawni, Ron's daughter, and to all of the other members of his family.

Obituary

CHONG, RONALD ARTHUR February 12, 1948 - October 28, 2018 Passed away early Sunday morning after a short battle with cancer. Predeceased by father Joseph, mother Margaret (nee Brown) and brother Gordon. Devoted husband to wife Josie, father to daughter Rawni (Matt Young), step-father to sons Paul, Chris and Wayne. Grandfather to Shawn, Ryan, Patrick, Eric, Kayla, Kate, Sam and Will. Great-grandfather to Emma, Keegan, Carter, Olivia, Madison and Max. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at Lakeridge Health Oshawa for their attentiveness, compassion and care in Ron's final days. A deeply spiritual man, Ron's practice of religion was everyday, simple and direct kindness. An excellent musician, he began his drum corps career in 1962, marched with various corps over the years and continued to support the Optimists Alumni long after he stopped playing the horn. Ron loved to study the classical guitar and particularly enjoyed playing with family and friends and singing with his grandchildren. Ron's friends, including those from his years with the Toronto Transit Commission and the drum corps, will be received on Friday, November 2nd at The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre, 1057 Brock Rd., Pickering (south of Hwy. 401). Visitation at 10 a.m., Ceremony at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron's memory to Lakeridge Health Oshawa or The Optimists Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps (4 Lillibet Rd., Toronto, ON M8Z 3S2) would be gratefully accepted.

Funeral and Visitation for Ron

• Date
  • Friday, November 2, 2018
• Location
  • The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre
  • 1057 Brock Road, Pickering (South of 401)
• Visitation: 10:00 am
• Ceremony: 11:00 am
• Reception to follow

I'm sad to inform you that Ray Roussel passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017.

Ray, together with his brother, Dennis, joined the Optimists in 1967. Their brother, Tim, followed them in 1968 with Rick, the family holdout, joining in 1969. Ray was a great baritone player as well as an excellent corpsman. In 1969 Ray was houroured as Optimists Corpsman of the year.

In 1972 Ray and Paul Thompson wrote a book on Bugle Technique, The book was used by the Optimists and soon many other corps were improving their horn lines by making use of the book and the exercises it contained.

Ray joined the Alumni corps when it began. I believe that Ray was the person who created the first website for the Alumni Corps. While Ray very much wanted to play in the Alumni Corps health problems forced him to leave.

A Celebration of Ray's Life

• Please RSVP is you plan on attending
• Details
  Monday, January 15, 2018
  from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
  Great Books Bookstore at the Williamsford Mill (316070 Hwy 6, in the town of Williamsford)
  The bookstore is about a 2 1/2 - 3 hr drive from Toronto.
  Google map to Bookstore
  Parking is available on the north side of the building
  Please let us know if you will join us by signing in at: https://ifao.regfox.com/ray-day

I'm sad to inform you that Mrs. Baggs passed away on Saturday, September 23, 2017.

Mrs. Baggs was the wife of Al 'Daddy' Baggs, the man who was responsible for the existence of the band that ultimately became the Toronto Optimists Drum and Bugle Corps. As a member of the women's auxiliary, she was a long time supporter of both the Toronto Optimists and it's sponsor, the Optimists Club of Downtown Toronto.

She was a wonderful person who will be missed by all who knew her.

Obituary for Mrs Baggs

BAGGS, GLADYS (nee TAPSCOTT) Beloved wife of Alan W. Baggs (deceased), passed away peacefully at Bay Ridges Long Term Care on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Glad will be sadly missed by her nephew Maurice Gostick and many friends. A celebration of life with refreshments will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Simple Alternative, 1057 Brock Road, Pickering, Ontario L1W 3T7.

A 'Celebration of Life' for Mrs. Baggs

• A 'Celebration of Life' for Mrs. Baggs will be held

  • on Saturday, October 14

  • from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

  • at The Simple Alternative Funeral Centres Pickering at 1057 Brock Road in Pickering (south of the 401).

  • Coffee & Tea & Sandwiches will be available. Please bring Memories.

  • Google map to the funeral home

I'm sad to inform you that Tom May passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.

Maureen Bell writes: 'Tom spent his younger years as a snare drummer with Grantham in St. Catharines. He joined the Commanders when he aged out. A group of us - Tom and I, Andy & Jackie Henderson, Al & Jean Miller, Chuck & Pat Clutterbuck, John & Bev Snowball, became good friends during that time. We had a lot of fun - it was a great time in our lives. He especially enjoyed his short time with the Optimists Alumni corps. Tom's health declined over the past few months which he spent in a long-term care facility in North York. He leaves a daughter - Regan, a son - Andrew and a step-son - Derek.'

Funeral and Visitation for Tom

• A private, graveside service will be held for Tom.

I'm sad to inform you that Ronn 'Skip' Prokop passed away on Wednesday, August 30, 2017. Ronn was a snare drummer with Preston Scout House and, then, the Toronto Optimists. Ronn left the Optimists after the 1963 season to pursue a career in music. He was also a founding member of the groups 'The Paupers' and 'Lighthouse'. Ronn will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation for Ronn

• Unless you were a close friend it is probably best to go to the visitation.

• Visitations have been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., and 7 and 9 p.m., at the Kebbel Funeral Home, 119 Talbot St. E., in Alymer.

• link to the Kebbel Funeral Home website

• Google map to Kebbel Funeral Home

Funeral Service for Ronn

• Close friends and family are invited to the funeral service
• A funeral service for Prokop, who died Wednesday at the age 73, has been scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Aylmer Evangelical Missionary Church, 600 Talbot St. W., in Aylmer.
• Google map to Aylmer Evangelical Missionary Church

Publish Obituary for Ronn

Prokop, Ronald ‘Skip' of Aylmer passed away at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 in his 74th year. Beloved husband to Tracy (Beauvais) Prokop. Devoted father of Shannon Prokop (Bill) of St. Thomas, Cassandra Prokop of London and Jamie Prokop (Hannah) of Brantford. Dear grandfather of Gina. Loving step-father of Paul Vande Pol and Jeffrey Vande Pol. Predeceased by sister Darlene. Uncle to Quin (Curtis) and great uncle to Kayleigh, Jameson and McKenna. He was the founder and driving force behind the internationally acclaimed group 'Lighthouse.' Born in Hamilton on December 13, 1943 and was predeceased by his parents Harry and Janet (McConnell) Prokop. Friends may call at the H. A. Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Close friends and family are invited to the funeral service at the Aylmer Missionary Church on Wednesday, September 06, 2017 at 1 p.m. Cremation will follow. Donations to the Heart and Stroke would be appreciated.