CARON, Dale Richard
March 4, 1949 – March 3, 2023
The family of Dale Richard Caron is saddened to announce the passing of their husband, father, grandfather and brother on March 3, 2023. Dale is survived by his wife Judy, children Darcy Caron, Dawn (Mike) Lashmar, Jackie (Gord) Milgate and Debbie Kudlik (Josh); grandchildren Kohen & Elijah Lashmar, Kaylynn (Adam) Milgate, Mason (Kelly) Milgate, Jaycee Milgate, Brody Kudlik, McKoy Kudlick and Bryson Kudlick; sisters Linda Then (Walt) and Cheryl (Todd) Caron, his aunts Grace Jasper and Jeanette Debolt. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Dale was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Valerie Caron, brothers Randall, Cal, Daniel and nephew Jared.
Dale was born in Calgary, Alberta and was raised in Montgomery, Alberta before it was part of the city. He had fond memories of shooting gophers and causing general childhood mayhem where Shouldice Park now sits. He attended and proudly played football at St. Francis High School. In 1956, his parents bought a summer property at Raven- near Spruceview, Alberta and the family eventually moved there in 1975, creating the Caron Family Farm where Dale and Judy moved in 2019. During those early years at the farm Dale enjoyed helping his dad construct the various buildings on the property, horseback riding, camping, spending time with extended family and causing a little more mayhem.
Dale had two children Darcy and Dawn with his first wife Dianne. When he married Judy he added two more daughters Debbie and Jackie. Not only was he an amazing Dad, he was the very best Grandpa any kid could ask for and has left behind eight grandchildren who adored him. He particularly enjoyed driving to all their sporting events, which took up many miles and weekends.
At age 12, he started working during the summers with his father’s construction company, Oscar Caron Construction and went on to graduate from SAIT with a diploma in Structural Engineering Technology. He worked beside his father and grandfather, taking over the company when his dad retired. Darcy worked alongside his dad for many years and Dawn also worked with Dale after high school for several years. It was truly a family business. He built his family’s home and three of his own homes over his lifetime, the last being just a few years ago in his early 70’s. While in the construction industry, Dale built or renovated nearly all the Humpty’s Restaurants in western Canada as well as many Smitty’s, Ricki’s, Petro Canada’s and Fat Burgers. He built houses, apartment buildings and commercial buildings all over Alberta. He mentored many students, and several nephews, made many lifelong relationships through his work and was very well respected during his construction years.
Dale was a kind man with a large presence who would do anything for anyone. He followed his dad as an avid Lion’s Club member most of his adult life and was the best pancake flipper anyone ever met – he kept a clean grill and taught many a Lion how to do the same. He catered many meals during his time with the Lions. He was a founding Director of the Bow Rivers Edge Campground in Cochrane and the most long standing board member. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Services through the Lions Foundation. He was always ready to lend a hand, if an individual or an organization needed something all they had to do was ask.
He loved his family fiercely and gave love freely. He loved watching his grandkids play sports, golfing, gambling, campfires, dancing, a day by the river, his dogs, his home, building things, Fords, being politically controversial and driving around in his golf cart. Right up to the end, Dale lived his life on his own terms. The most difficult thing is to attempt to sum up the kind of man Dale was and how much impact he had on everyone he knew in just a few short paragraphs.
Dale went peacefully with his son and daughter by his side the day before his 74 birthday. He had a short but fierce battle with cancer after successfully managing heart disease for 20 years. The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at the Sundre Hospital, we just don’t know what we would have done without you all over the past year. Memorial donations can be made in his name to Sundre Hospital Futures (sundrehospitalfutures.com). A Celebration of Life is being held on March 14, 2023 at 1 pm Cochrane Lions Event Centre 109 Fifth Ave, Cochrane, AB. Lunch to follow.
Arrangements entrusted to Alison (Allie) Van Arnam , Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039
Very accurate description of a great man. Will be missed dearly He was a presence is an understatement. Rest in peace cousin
Loved the BIO
Our condolences.
Dale’s friendship is a treasure I will carry until we meet again.
Rip Dale. You will always be remembered by my whole family!!!!!
Judy and family- so sorry for your loss. Though I didn’t know Dale well, he always shared a big smile
And a big heart. He will be missed
Laureen Smid
Dear Judy, Linda, Cheryl and the entire Caron clan,
Our family of five children grew up neighbours to the Carons and their six kids on half acre side-by-side properties on Bowness Road in Montgomery. Together we enjoyed the best childhood kids could ever had wanted; and our enduring friendship with the Caron family over the years is a testimony to the special bond we shared. Dale and I were the same age and I credit my tom-boy adventure spirit to Dale’s mentorship. He would often bring me golpher tails as a trophy for a day of target practice in our backyards Shouldice Park where we would hang out with our siblings riding bikes, playing tag, baseball and building endless forts. Dale’s warmth, kindness, sense of humour, loyalty, incredible work ethic and fierce commitment to family and friends are character traits that he had as a young boy and continued to hone over the years. I feel privileged to have called Dale my lifelong friend and I am heartbroken at his recent death and difficult time of suffering. I look forward to a reunion one day on heaven where I can thank him for enriching my life with his friendship. May He rest in peace. Wendy (Lefaivre) Bodsworth
It was sad to hear about Dale. I grew up in Montgomery with Dale and in fact shared most of our grade school classrooms with him (as did my wife Jenny Bakker). I remember him as a big bubbly guy I called my friend. While I haven’t seen him for many years I remember him well. We wish the family our condolences.
Ralph Liesemer
To Judy and all of Dale’s family
Gary and I just saw that Dale had passed and were so sorry we were not there to support you at this difficult time. We lost touch with various moves etc. but have always had a special place for our “Caron” family who adopted Gary as another son. Dale was a special friend and we remember many activities from Lions Meetings, dances, parties and camp outs. We remember motoring to Expo in Vancouver in their motor home visiting family along the way and laughing and having fun.
Dale was a business man and was continually looking for another challenge. He was also kind, loving and had a sense of humour.
He also let you know what he wanted – like no cantaloupe in the fruit salad. Gary spent many mornings on a job site with him talking about everything the day would bring and also about life in general.
We had the privilege of knowing Dale and his family and we send lots of love and hugs as you say your goodbyes. We are fortunate to have so many memories to comfort us.
The world has lost a wonderful man who went after what he wanted and wouldn’t stop until he succeeded. Sending big hugs to Darcy and Dawn, Judy and Jackie and Debbie. and all the rest of the family.