[gravityform id="1" name="Donation" title="false" description="false" ajax="true"]
Sat
12°
Sun
12°
Mon
19°

Saturday, May 24, 2025 - 10:53 AM

Speak to a representative:

(905) 881-6003

Class 1 Funeral Establishment Operator, FE 489

Ronald Barry Garner

Rachmil Barel Ben Zev Wolf

Ronald Barry Garner (April 5, 1945 – May 1, 2025) passed away at Etobicoke General Hospital.  He was very proud of and will be missed by family and friends, especially his two daughters and their families: Stephanie (Nate Poupko) of Florida, their six delightful grandchildren  (Zak, Izzy, Ivy, Scarlett, Joey and Mila), his younger daughter Ashley (Colin Zammit) and his younger sister Toba Balaban and her family. Thank you to the few special nurses at 6th floor Etobicoke General hospital who were unusually kind, caring and helpful during a challenging life period and make a difference in a patient’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the Beit Halochem Canada, Aid to Disabled Veterans of Israel

(905) 695-0611 https://www.beithalochem.ca/

Date of Death: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Yahrzeit Day: Iyar 3
Date of Funeral: Sunday, May 4, 2025
Time of Funeral: 1:00 PM
Memorial Service Location: Graveside service
Burial Service Location: Pardes Shalom Cemetery, 10953 Dufferin St., Maple, Toronto Hebrew Benevolent section
Shiva Details: Shiva private

Add Your Message Of Condolence

E-mail addresses are collected as a security measure and will not be used for any other purpose.


Message of Condolence

Hartley Garshowitz
Ashley, Stephanie, Toba: Fran and I are deeply saddened to hear the news of Ron's passing. May his memory be a blessing.
Reply • Report
franne schmidt
I am very sorry to hear the sad news of Ron's passing, May you all be comforted by good memories.
Reply • Report
Arlene & Bill
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Reply • Report
Anita Freedland
Peter and I are so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Reply • Report
Janice Garshowitz Lebow
Ashley, Stephanie,Toba and families. I was so very saddened to hear of Ron's passing. I have many, many memories of my cousin. Childhood, teenage, adult...so many things come to mind and conversations that will always be remembered. He was a lovely guy and although I hadn't seen him in some years... nonetheless, I will always remember Ron with pleasure and a smile. I know he was very proud of his daughters and always spoke very lovingly of his grandchildren. I hope that your loving memories will help to sustain you at this time and for the years to follow. Hamakom Yenachem Etchem Betoch Shaar Avalei Tzion ve Yerushalyim and know no more sorrow. May you be comforted with all the Mourners of Zion and Yerushalyim and know no more sorrow. May Ron's Neshama (soul) be a blessing in Shomayim (Heaven). My heart is with you and part of my heart is broken to have lost yet another beloved cousin. Much love, Janice
Reply • Report
Neil Perry
Stephanie and Ashley sorry to hear about Ron’s passing remember all of the good times
Reply • Report
Neil Perry
Stephanie and Ashley sorry to hear about Ron’s passing remember all of the good times
Reply • Report
Leon and Iris Weverman and family
this was a terrible shock to hear of my cousin Ronald passing on so suddenly in life. I send my regrets to all the family and to my cousin Toba and all her family as well.
Reply • Report
Geri Maser & Mike Mangiacotte
Ashley, Stephanie, and Toba, Mike and I would like to extend our sincere condolences on Ron's passing. We enjoyed many weekend get togethers, and will always have fond memories of our time with him.
Reply • Report
Elaine, Rick, and Lindsay
Dear Toba, Erin and Marc, We are so sorry to hear of Ron's passing. Our deepest condolences during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you share. Elaine, Rick and Lindsay.
Reply • Report
Milton and Terri Lewis
So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a dear cousin and a true gentleman. Our thoughts are with you and family at this difficult time.
Reply • Report
David Kaufman
My deepest condolences to the family especially Ron’s two daughters Stephany and Ashley and his sister Toba whom he loved dearly. I have been friends and known Ron since we were teenagers and he will be sadly missed. May his memory be a Blessing !
Reply • Report
Ron & Shirley Ander
We will miss Ron especially on the holidays which we celebrated together with him and his family for many years. We will miss his humorous stories.
Reply • Report
Steve
I will remember you in the better times of your life. I hope you are at peace. My condolences to your sister and your daughters.
Reply • Report
Amanda
Ash, Steph, Toba, Erin and Marc, My heart is with you all during this difficult time. Ron was truly one of a kind. To Ron I wasn’t just Amanda, I was “Mighty Amanda”. I have so many fond memories of going to Ron’s with Ashley, joining them for lunch at the Pickle Barrel, laughing at his endless jokes and of course eating many almonds. He will be missed always but forever in our hearts. Lots of love today and always. - Mighty Amanda
Reply • Report
Freya Morrison
Dear Toba and family, I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. May his memory be for a blessing.
Reply • Report
Barb Zaldin
So sorry to hear of Ron's death today. I know you had told me he was not doing well for some time. Hopefully, the peace you saw in him is also in his soul. May his memories be a blessing to you all.
Reply • Report
Toronto Hebrew Benevolent Society
On behalf of Toronto Hebrew Benevolent Society we send our condolences to Toba, Stephanie, Ashley and the entire Garner family. May his memory be for a blessing.
Reply • Report
Ashley
When I think about my dad, so many memories come flooding in—some hilarious, some touching, and all uniquely him. He was the one who inspired me to see the world. I think I definitely got my love of travel from him. He enjoyed seeing, hearing and experiencing the different cultures of all the countries he travelled to, but I think he especially enjoyed making new friends and trying all the food. He was so happy to see me embark on a travelling journey of my own and loved hearing of my stories every time I got back from a trip. His sense of adventure was infectious. He taught me how to play a mean game of pool. Growing up , we had some good times at the pool hall (come to think of it maybe it wasn’t the best choice for a kid as a hangout spot ) but later the pool skills he taught me came in handy. I remember how proud he was when I told him how I beat my (now husband) winning 3 games to zero on our third date. He loved how he was the one to teach me this very important skill. My dad loved a challenge, especially when it came with a good story or a bit of fun. I think my dad’s true claim to fame though was that he taught me how to read before I was two years old. He would tell pretty much anyone who would listen how he would use my doll Ida to keep me interested in learning and then reward both of us with snacks. He had a sweet tooth for pie (one of my husband’s first memories of meeting him was when he single-handedly ate an entire lemon meringue pie after saying he wasn’t hungry) , vanilla milkshakes and Coca-Cola, and he was a firm believer in the power of almonds. He’d always ask, “Did you eat your almonds today?”—as if they were the secret to a long, healthy life. Maybe he was onto something. Sundays often meant Pickle Barrel lunches. He loved the smoked meat platter—and I remember how devastated he was when they took it off the menu. But true to form, he bounced back, switching loyally to the Chinese chicken salad. Sometimes we would try to switch up our lunch spot on a Sunday, but we would always go back to the pickle barrel because as he said “they really do make a great Chinese chicken salad”. There were road trips—like the one to Florida to go visit my grandparents. That trip was unforgettable—not just for the sunshine, but for the time he accidentally set the car on fire on the way down. My sister and I went running down the I-95 screaming, while he handled it like only he could: somehow calm but totally in control. The rest of the trip thankfully went smoothly after that incident. We watched WWF wrestling, went to the movie theatre, Steeles West flea market , chased squirrels outside my grandparents apartment on Bathurst Street, and had our summer traditions, like visits to Centre Island, Wonderland, and riding our bikes down at the Lakeshore. When I was a teenager, I complained to him about getting my feet stomped on at rock concerts. Most parents might’ve just said “be careful”—my dad bought me steel toed boots. Problem solved. That was him—practical, protective, and just a little bit badass. He loved martial arts, and he taught me how to make an iron fist to defend myself. We would practice self-defense moves together and he always said “ you’re really tough - I wouldn’t wanna mess with you!” Dad had a thing for jokes—telling them, hearing them, and living them. He loved hearing about the April Fool’s jokes I’d play on my class. His personal favourite was when I told my class I was going to bake them brownies but I came to school with a tin of construction paper, cut out brown shaped letter e’s. He just thought that was hilarious. Whenever I told him about my day in the classroom, he’d say, “I always wanted to be a teacher—but I didn’t have the class.” Classic Dad. The last joke we shared over FaceTime was an oldie but a goodie, also a favourite of my grandfathers, but brought a smile to his face. 
“I know where you got your shoes! Where? On your feet.” He loved magic tricks, too. And every time I asked, “Can I know the trick?”
He’d say, “Can you keep a secret?”
I’d say yes. 
And he’d say, “Well… so can I.” He’d tell people to “kiss his little Ash”—and then grin like a mischievous kid. He wasn’t just my dad. He was my friend, my fellow prankster, my teacher, and my cheerleader. He showed me how to laugh, how to live with curiosity, and how to love the little moments. I’ll miss him a lot. But I know that wherever he is, he’s smiling, probably telling someone a joke, and asking for a milkshake. Thank you, Dad—for everything
Reply • Report
Lucy Mekler
Dear family of Ronald Barry Garner, especially Toba , My heart goes out to you. In time may you remember the good times you shared and be comforted .
Reply • Report
Dahlia Zaide Rusinek
Dear Toba, John and I only now saw Ron’s obituary and are heartbroken for you and your entire family. Please accept our deeply felt condolences. ברוך דיין האמת
Reply • Report
Marilyn Shesko
Dear Toba, Erin and Mark, I am so sorry for your loss, Hugs, Marilyn
Reply • Report

Send a donation in your loved one’s name and benefit a great cause in their honour.

Make a Donation