Ronald David Birdsall (Birdy)
Surrounded by the love of his family and friends, Ronald David Birdsall (Birdy), 55, of Toronto passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at Bridgepoint Health. Loving and much loved partner of Jeff Otto, Ron will be missed by his mother Margaret, and his many friends whom he cherished.
Ron was born February 23, 1961 in Vancouver, British Columbia to his loving parents Margaret and Phil Birdsall. He attended Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver and then moved to Toronto in 1986. Through his love of tennis and playing in the Spartan Volleyball League, he quickly met and made a wonderful circle of long-standing friends. His warm and contagious smile and love of all things fun made friendships easy. He had amazing peers working at Canada Life, the Toronto Star and most recently Powell & Bonnell Design where he finally found his true niche working in design. Ron’s Powell & Bonnell Family were a great support throughout his new career and continued to be during his illness.
Among Ron’s joys were wine, Pride, margeritas in PV, hosting and attending fabulous parties, clothes, travel and architecture, art, Turner Classic Movies, tennis, his dogs, clothes, interior design, brunch, gingers, clothes and HomeSense.
Ron will forever be remembered as a charming soul with an infectious laugh and beautiful smile. Ron loved making the most of life and was always the life of the party. He and Jeff made a lovely and lively home together in the Pocket for over 20 years. We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary care and compassion from the staff at the Odette Cancer Centre (Sunnybrook), and Bridgepoint Health. Our love and thanks to all of our friends for the huge outpouring of support during the last few months. Special hugs to Susan Currie, Douglas Reynolds, Dean Miller, Patrick Shannon and Andre Steffens for their incredible help throughout this journey.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held in the spring.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ronald David Birdsall (Birdy)
Diane & Don Smith
Our sincere condolences for your loss of this wonderful man.
Cindy Gough
To Jeff
Please do not think this odd as I never met Ronald, but I was so impacted by the obituary in the Star that I felt I had to comment. What a stunning tribute to an evidently bright shining star. I wish I could have met him….sounds like he made a resounding impact…for even from afar, he made one on me!
I know how difficult this is …..take comfort in this legacy he left
Andrew Sherman Evans Jr
So sorry for your loss. He is an amazing man! The world has lost one of those special people who knew how to bring a smile to all he touched and loved.
Isa & Greg Stauch
Our deepest condolences to you Jeff and to both your families and friends.
I wasn’t a close friend but everytime I would see Ron he made me feel like I was one of best friends. The love he shared with everyone was so sincere.
I’m happy I got to visit Ron a couple of times at Bridgepoint. I will cherish those moments.
Be well Jeff. Love to you. Xoxo
Carrie
Jeff,
I’m so very sorry for your loss. Ron was an extraordinary gentleman and the two of you were an exceptionally gracious and welcoming duo. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Carrie Hunter
Naomi Szeben
Dominic Messier and I (Naomi Szeben) are so sorry to read of your loss. Let us know if you need anything, we’re in the neighbourhood.
Jan & Chanel
I’m so sorry for your loss Jeff,
Jan & Chanel
I’m so sorry for your loss Jeff.
Jane Graham
My deepest condences to his life time partner Jeff and Ron’s mother who I had the privledge to meet while visiting Ron at Bridge point. My favorite thing about Ron is you could be silly with him! We were at a Westie Rescue walk and I was a little down as I had lost a very dear friend just days before the walk. That day Ron had me laughing so hard I am surprised I didn’t have an accident. I will cherish that day and remember the friendship we shared!
Liz Hood & Cheryl Woodman
Jeff – Our hearts go out to you for Ron’s too-soon passing. We hope the knowledge that you are embraced with the love and sympathy of the community you have given so much to build helps ease your grief now and in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Cheryl and I send you and your family our deepest condolences for your loss.
Traci and Karen
What a wonderful and loving farewell. Karen and I are both sorry for your loss and offer our most sincere condolences to you Jeff and to your family.
Monika and Richard, Phin avenue
Sending you hugs and strength.
Don Kezima
My deepest sympathies, Jeff. We will forever remember that amazing Ronnie laughter. xoxo
Richard Browning
Dear Jeff and family
So very sorry to hear of your loss.
RIP Ron and sleep well.
Heartfelt condolences.
Gary Akenhead and Calvin MacLean
Sad news. Our hearts go out to you, Jeff, and all of Ron’s loved ones. What a terrible loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Susan Baker
So very sorry to hear this sad news. A very bright light has been extinguished. Much love to you Jeff and to Ron’s mother. Susan Baker
Brit & Jay
It is with great saddness to hear the news of Ron’s passing. He was a wonderful man who was loved by so many. Our thoughts are with you Jeff. May you be able to cherish the many wonderful memories you shared together.
Ali Yaphe
I am so saddened to learn of Ron’s passing. Ron was a client of mine, so I got to speak to him almost daily ( what treat that was! ) I absolutely loved his upbeat energy…he honestly was such a great guy. He will be truly missed and just hope that he is in a better more fun place now. Sending him love wherever he may be.
Sumaiya Desai
Hi Jeff and family
We are very sorry for your loss .
Please let us know if there is anything we could do to help .
Ron Krueger
My heart goes out to Jeff and the rest of Ron’s family. He always seemed so warm and happy. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Lynda Thompson & JoAnn Poulin
Our heart felt condolences go out to you Jeff & Ron’s family.. What a wonderful loved man, he touched so many people & will be missed by all who were fortuneate to have known him…<3…
Rebecca Middleton
Dear Jeff and Mrs. Birdsall and family:
Ron is truly in a much better place now. He had been through a lot and still he smiled and laughed. He was a gentle soul, with a fabulous sense of humour. He was so devoted to Jeff and all of friends. When working with him at the Toronto Star he would always be talking and laughing about his adventures while planning trips, travelling to PV or out to see his dear friend Doug R. in Vancouver. He spoke highly of his family. I feel very blessed to have known him and was very happy to see him the week before his passing and see his smile once again. Thank you Jeff for taking care of him so well through his journey. He loved you so. Hold on to your wonderful memories to get you through.
Ron and Mae Livingstone
Dear Jeff,
We are so saddened to learn of the loss of your partner Ron at such an early age. We had met both of you only a few times at Gary’s place but were greatly impressed by your relationship, Ron’s energy and Joie-de- vivre, and your close group of friends who are now your support.
Our thoughts are with you and family at this time and we do hope to see you in the near future.
Our most sincere condolences.
Ron and Mae Livingstone.
Trish, Ryan, Cian and Emmet
Ron’s presence in our neighborhood will be greatly missed. Thinking of you. Xo
Sean McPherson
Although I only had a chance to know Ron for a brief period working at the star, his advice and guidance to a young up and comer will be with me forever. His gentle and good hearted nature was a warm welcome to be a part of everyday at work. Wish the world had more like him.
Kathie Findlay-Hill (Canadalife Insurance)
My condolence to you Jeff and the Birdsall family, He was a fantastic person, full of life and the funnies person I was blessed to know as a friend and a boss.
Ellen Titus
My deepest sympathy to you and Ron’s family. Ron’s life was too brief but it sounds like he made the most of every moment and had wonderful connections with those he knew. Hopefully your memories will help through this challenging time. XO
Anthea Gomez
I am so saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. I worked with Ron at New York Life and I can honestly say those days were the most fun in my career as we would have our daily banter, kidding around and much laughter not forgetting tea and cookies in the afternoon.
My sympathies to the family. Ron, rest in peace.
John McAuley and David Self
Jeff, Mrs. Birdsall and family,
We were saddened when we learned first of Ron’s illness and then of his passing.
David and I only knew the two of you as a couple through other friends, and we met Ron years ago, however one is never prepared to say good bye forever.
Just know that David and I, along with our friends Keith, PJ and Carl hope the balloons that Keith and PJ brought to the hospital gave him a moment of enjoyment, even though it was just a moment.
We want you to know our thoughts are with you Jeff especially for loosing your partner, for Mrs Birdsall and family loosing someone who meant so much. It is never easy loosing someone who is so much a part of one’s life.
We can only hope for Ron, that the suffering has ended and that with the years, the pain and loss for you all will diminish over time.
Our deepest sympathies,
David and John
Janice Durst
Dear Jeff:
I had the pleasure of working with Ron when he came to work at Canada Life after New York Life.
He was so much fun at work, but he also always had a sense of fair play and genuine concern for others.
To my delight, though we both moved on professionally, he became a neighbour as well, and we had occasion to meet by design (Only Cafe) and by chance in and around the neighbourhood many times over the years.
It was my great pleasure to be hosted at one of your memorable Christmas Open House events where you and Ron made everyone so welcome and happy.
My thoughts are with you now; please know that you have my deepest condolences.
Geoff and Lorrie
Jeff
Lorrie and I were so sorry to hear of this news. I’ll always remember Ron’s effusive tour of your wonderful house when we moved into the hood. Full of infectious energy and life.
Take care of yourself.
Susan Paterson
I am so sorry for your loss, Jeff. Our deepest condolences to you.
Betsy Bertram
To Ron’s family and friends,
Sending my warmest prayers and deepest regrets at the loss of this amazing man. I had the pleasure of working with Ron at the Toronto Star and he was impressive from the moment I met him. His professionalism and class were second to none. He had an incredible work ethic. He was honest, dedicated and so good at whatever responsibilities he took on. What a gentleman. On top of that he was just delightful to be around. He will be missed by so many. Betsy Bertram
Janis Venn
Dear Auntie Margaret & Jeff,
Sending my heartfelt Sympathy to you both. Ron will always be in our hearts as he has touched so many lives over the years. Ron had a fantastic sense of humour, great laugh and as you both know, Ron was loved by everyone.
Ron is now with his dad, watching over you both.
Sending you both big hugs. xoxo
Allison Richmond
Dear Jeff,
I met Ron during our time at Canada Life. He was a loving, supportive and caring person. I will cherish the memories I have of him.
My deepest condolences to you and Ron’s family. Will keep you in my prayers.