Just recently I learned of the passing of Ronnie Kirkpatrick, a long-time resident of the Oaks. I was honoured to have known Ronnie and always looked forward to his smiling face when I visited the facility he was living in. It was such a pleasure to meet and speak with his sister at Christmas time when she was visiting him as well.
Ronnie was everyone’s friend and had a generous heart. He was as kind as he was loyal and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace Ronnie.
Below is a story that we published about Ronnie in one of our previous Newsletters, I would like to share it with you.
Ronny has found Compassion, Dignity and Acceptance
Ronny Kirpatrick came from a family of fighting Irish. He was born in Northern Dublin and immigrated to Canada while still a baby. He is the middle child of three children, one older brother and one younger sister – all deeply devoted to the Catholic Faith. Fighting and a hot temper came naturally to Ronny and it was the cause of him being asked to leave school. Later when Ronny was 25 he used his fists again, only this time to win the Golden Gloves National Boxing Championship in Toronto.
All this changed when Ronny met Sharon. Sharon convinced Ronny to put his boxing days behind him and they were soon married. Within time little Ronny came along and then they were three. After 15 years of marriage Sharon succumbed to cancer and Ronny lost his anchor and best friend.
Ronny worked hand-in-hand with his Father in the drywall industry for 26 years. He worked hard and he played equally hard and drinking became his obsession. He readily admits that he drank anything with alcohol in it, cleaning products, after shave lotion, hairspray and mouth wash. This affected his relationship with his Father and soon they became estranged. Ronny’s stabilizing factors – a job and his wife were gone and Ronny took to the street.
One day Ronny was engaged in a street brawl and a police officer who was quite familiar with Ronny separated the two and walked him to the Managed Alcohol Program at Shepherds of Good Hope where he was told by the officer ‘to stay there’. He told Ronny that he didn’t want him to be fighting on the street again. Some time later, Ronny’s Irish stubbornness got the best of him and he left only to be ‘caught’ cavorting in street behaviour by the same police officer. Once again, he was walked to Shepherds of Good Hope only this time he was warned if he left again he would go to jail.
Today, Ronny will tell you that this program has saved his life. He enjoys the company of those around him, he eats good food, has his own room, has his medical needs attended to, dabbles in painting, visits with others and takes part in daily chores around the building. He is part of a community that supports and cares for each other. In fact, Ronny was the program mayor for 10 years. The staff know him well and care for him fondly. Ronny has found compassion, acceptance and dignity at Shepherds of Good Hope.
Wouldn’t you like to help those like Ronny find a home where they can be safe and cared for? Please give so that others may find the true meaning of compassion.
www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com
