Ron Loland, a founding member and past president of the Swangard Stadium Society, passed away on Dec. 30.
Ron, who spearheaded a campaign that raised more than $3 million for installation of bleachers, a new furbished track surface and other improvements to Swangard in the early 1990s, passed away peacefully after a long, happy and successful life at the Harmony Court Care Centre in Burnaby at the age of 84.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, Esther and Olaf Loland and step-father, Wilf Marshall, his sisters, Lorraine and Beverly, his brother, Wesley and his granddaughter, Emma. Loland is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth, his daughters Diane and Debbie, sons Dan (Pauline) and Mark and grandchildren, Madeleine and Ethan. Ron is also survived by his sisters, Gerry (Dennis), Marilyn, Sharon and Gayle, and brothers Harvey and Phil (Gail), brother-in-law Ron Drane (Donna) and many nieces and nephews.
Ron was also the past president and general manager for the senior men's Wesburn and Burnaby Canadians Soccer Club for 22 years. He was also a founding director of the professional Vancouver 86ers soccer club and a founding director of the Kensington Soccer Society. Ron was inducted into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 1992.
A memorial service to celebrate Ron’s life will be held at the Scandinavian Cultural Centre at 6540 Thomas off Kensington on Monday, Jan. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. A reception will follow at 2 p.m.
Please bring memories or anecdotes about Ron (in written form), which will be included in a memory book. Donations in Ron's memory would be gratefully received by either the Wesburn Youth Soccer Association or Hope International Development Agency.
