Obituary of RONALD WARD RICE

Ronald Ward Rice died peacefully on April 2, 2025,  at Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe, Ontario, just shy of his 89^th birthday. Born in 1936, he is remembered by his beloved wife of 61 years, Shirley Rice (Hall); loved by his three children, Elizabeth Rice Madan (Kapil Madan), Gregory Rice (Stephanie Rice) and Pamela Rice (Adam Peacey); and very proud grandfather to Olivia (Paul-Mark DiFrancesco), Kira, Sophia, Emma and Freyja. Ronald was the only child of Claude and Hazel Rice. He graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College in 1958, developing and maintaining life-long friendships. Married in 1964, Shirley joined him on the family farm, where they raised their three children. Farming was Ronald’s passion. Ronald was a Villa Nova Baptist Church member for more than 75 years, where he found comfort and community. Ronald will be best remembered for his sense of humour, generosity and willingness to help others. He thoroughly enjoyed his farm life and later travelled cross-country with Shirley in their RV, making countless friends along the way.

Family and friends will be received at Thompson-Mott Funeral Home on Monday Aril 7,2025 from 2-4 and 6-8pm. 

Although family and friends will deeply miss Ronald, we take solace in the fact that he was loved by so many.

As an expression of sympathy, those wishing to donate in memory of Ronald could consider donating to the Salvation Army Simcoe.