Tribute

Ronald Joseph Harold Holden, 88 went home to his Heavenly Father on Saturday, December
30, 2023. Ron was predeceased by his wife Beverly (nee Realff) Holden in March of 2023. His
memory will be cherished by his eldest daughter Cindy Poppy (husband Rocky and
granddaughter Zoe Poppy) son Andrew Holden (granddaughters Hannah Volansky (husband
Kyle and great grandson Griffin), Sarah Holden and Leah Slaunwhite (husband Jacob), and
youngest daughter Jill Ginter (husband Rodney and grandchildren Jonah and Bethany).

Ron was born on August 29 , 1935 in Stanstead, Quebec to Donald and Leota (nee Hartson)
Holden. He was predeceased by his parents and loving sister Patricia Gill.

Ron accepted Jesus into his heart at a young age and was passionate about reaching others
with the gospel. He met his wife Beverly in Montreal, Quebec when he was in need of a
pianist to accompany him for a church service and the rest is history. They married on
September 10, 1960 and together lived out their lives serving God.

After receiving his teacher’s degree he took his family to New Brunswick Bible Institute where
he attended school and later became a teacher there. In 1968 the family moved back to
Quebec where Ron became the pastor of Comedey Baptist Church and taught at Lake of Two
Mountains High School.

Ron was never one to stay still, he served in many positions throughout his life from director of
Youth for Christ in Montreal to Chaplain of the Montreal Expo’s, served on the Gideon board
and was Chaplain at the Oliver Hospital. He loved to keep in touch with his many friends
through letters, often revealing his sense of humour by creating mythical characters which
some people believed were real.
In Ron and Bev’s later years they moved to beautiful Osoyoos, B.C. where he became the
pastor at Valley Congregational Church in Oliver, B.C. He could often be seen walking his dog
Pippa in town wearing his Scottish tam. His love and dedication to Beverly was seen right until
her final days.

Our family want to thank the staff at Mariposa for the wonderful care they provided over the
years for our parents.

We will fondly remember your great sense of humour and will miss you greatly Dad!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.
John 3:16