KNOWLES, Charles Ronald “Ronnie”

January 14, 1947 – December 28, 2019

Charles Ronald “Ronnie” Knowles passed away unexpectedly in Cochrane on December 28, 2019 at the age of 72.

Ronnie is survived by his loving partner Susan Calvert and her children, Justin (Jen), Okie, Skylar and his grandchildren Easton and Kacey. He is also survived by his brother Billy (Marg) Knowles and many, many friends that will miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Elaine Knowles of Meaford, Ontario. 

Ronnie was born on January 14th, 1947 in Ottawa, Ontario where he finished high school and later attended Louisiana State University. After university he spent his time travelling between Mississippi and Ottawa among other places. He had many adventures and finally settled in Waveland, Mississippi.

In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, he move to Cochrane and loved being part of the Cochrane community. Ronnie volunteered with numerous events in the town of Cochrane. 

We will all miss him more than you can imagine! We’re so thankful for the many years and memories we have had with him! I know you are up there cheering on the Flames and the Saints during every game they play! We will deeply miss his loving smile and contagious laughter. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Cochrane Lions Event Centre (109 Fifth Ave, Cochrane, AB) on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cochrane & Area Humane Society www.cochranehumane.ca

Arrangements entrusted to Cochrane Country Funeral Home, Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director. Ph: 403-932-1039.

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  1. On 30/12/2019 at 5:56 pm Helen Parnell Said:

    I am so sorry to hear about Ronnie’s passing. I remember hearing 1st about Ronnie after Hurricane Katrina from Sue. Our paths crossed several times with myself being with the Activettes and Ronnie at CAES and Lions. His support of the Cochrane Community was amazing and he will be sadly missed.

  2. On 30/12/2019 at 9:01 pm Tim and Carolyn Clow Said:

    Its during times of great loss that we realize how limiting words can be and how special our friends truly are. We hope you hear the words we cannot speak, for words can do no justice to the heartache you and your family have suffered. Try to remember the little things, the shared smiles, the warm hugs, the laughter. The pain might seem unbearable now, but in time, it is these memories that will win through and you will find happiness again. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  3. On 30/12/2019 at 10:35 pm Brock Smith Said:

    So sorry to hear of my friend’s passing. He was a good man, fun loving, and very interested in other people. He was a promoter of music, talent, pizza, and assorted enterprises. He will be missed in this community. rest in peace, my friend>

  4. On 30/12/2019 at 11:04 pm Mary Lou Eckmeier Said:

    I knew Ronnie through his volunteer work, his communications on behalf of various events with Council and his constant drive to make Cochrane a great place. RIP Ronnie. You will be missed.

  5. On 31/12/2019 at 9:16 am Drew Hyndman Said:

    I’m very sorry to hear the news about Ronnie, he was definitely a bright light and a community builder in Cochrane that will be truly missed. I always looked forward to catching up with him as he was so genuine and always looking to make a difference in the community. It didn’t hurt that we were both big LSU and Saints fans either. I will miss you my friend….thanks for making the world a better place.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rest in peace.

  6. On 31/12/2019 at 12:29 pm Trevor Trott Said:

    I knew Ron as my lab partner in grade 13 Chemistry at Fisher Park High School in 1967. The teacher selected Ron to start the thermite reaction because he could start the reaction and get to the other end of the lab, where everyone else was, without mayhem, accident or even setting the school on fire. Although very talented he was down to earth and unassuming. He was, in the best sense of the word, a true gentleman. I am sorry for your loss.

  7. On 31/12/2019 at 1:42 pm Wayne Street Said:

    Ronnie and I were post-cardiac surgery room mates at Foothills hospital last week. We used the nights when we couldn’t sleep to talk about our surgergies,our recuperation and our families; Ronnie was very proud of his family. We also encouraged one another during the days to get our walks done to assist our progress as best we could. I met some of Ronnie’s family when they came to visit him. I want to express my deepest sympathies to Susan and her family on the loss of person I knew “way too short a time.”

  8. On 31/12/2019 at 5:17 pm Kathy Charchun (Burton) Said:

    Sue & Family,

    It has been many years since our paths have crossed. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart is heavy for all of you and wish for you much strength and courage to get through this difficult time.

  9. On 01/01/2020 at 4:45 pm Joseph KilburnThe comments Said:

    The comments expressed by Ron’s colleagues/friends comes as no surprise, as he was a people person. I met Ron at Fisher Park High School in Ottawa where we were football teammates. Later on he joined the National Bobsleigh Team and I was a pilot. In the subsequent years, when he moved to Louisiana, he always kept in touch with his Ottawa counterparts. He loved Susan Calvert AND he loved Cochrane. So, Susan and Family, please accept my sincere condolences and cherish the memories. Ronnie may be “gone”, but never forgotten.

  10. On 02/01/2020 at 11:33 am Larry and Faith Wackershauser Said:

    it was a shock to us all at the Mobil station, where Ronnie worked for the past 2 plus years.
    Ron was a great employee and the customers loved him. We will miss and remember him dearly.

  11. On 02/01/2020 at 2:58 pm Rob Kimura Said:

    Sue and Family
    My deepest condolences. I was sad to hear of Ronnie passing. He was always a great supporter of Bow Valley High School and the Cochrane Community . We were fortunate to be able to recognize him for his work at the school a few years ago. His dedication to local causes supported many youth that needed a helping hand. He will be missed.

  12. On 02/01/2020 at 3:39 pm Scott Buchanan Said:

    Seldom are people so deeply loved. I am the third Fisher Park alumni to express my condolences. Ronnie was a central figure in our high school clique over 50 years ago. He was a great guy even then and though we don’t know his Cochrane and US friends, we know you all loved him for the same reasons. He was the real deal. Always looking out for his buddies, appreciating your friendship, interested in so many things, sports and music were always a priority but politics was never far behind. He had a take and wasn’t shy to express it. Those of us who knew him here in Ottawa, and we are many, will miss his laugh, those mischievous eyes and his warm manner. To all of you who knew him and will attend his service, we know Ronnie will always be with you. Pay it forward.

  13. On 02/01/2020 at 6:16 pm Marilyn Woody Said:

    Susan and family,

    I am so sorry for your loss. I could see you were a happy couple and I am glad you had these years with Ronnie. I did not know him well but I would see him at many events volunteering and giving his time. You had a true gem of a guy, Susan, and I am sure he is smiling down thankful at how happy you made his life and probably planning a new venture up there.

  14. On 03/01/2020 at 9:44 am Diane Stables Said:

    Susan and family
    Sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts are with you.

  15. On 03/01/2020 at 10:27 pm Nancy Lewis-Moore Said:

    Susan and Family
    I am so sorry for your loss. Ronnie was an amazing gentlemen. I first met him through the Lions and then I worked and volunteered some events with him. He was such an amazing guy with so many ideas and he was so generous to the Cochrane community. I was so lucky to get such good times with him, even selling hotdogs in the rain! He was a mentor and a good friend to me and my family and he will be dearly missed by all of us!

  16. On 04/01/2020 at 7:49 am Terry Deisman Said:

    It was always obvious to us when Ron was on shift at the gas bar. The lineups were always out the door!! Often he was asked to keep all conversations short with customers so as to avoid lineups. That was just not Ronnie’s style, he cared for every single person that came in. Now that I look back on things I have realized the lineups were more because people wanted to come in and see Ron and catch up on things.Working here going forward will never be the same as it was, I will miss Ronnie so much and our daily conversations about sports, and events in and around town. More than anything I will miss his rambling texts messages that I had to spend hours decoding. Deepest condolences to Ron’s family. Rest in Peace Ron.

  17. On 06/01/2020 at 1:49 pm Susan and Cameron Black Said:

    Dear Susan and Family
    our sincere condolences on Ronnie’s passing. Ronnie was a great supporter of the Royalty Program. I admired his dedication to the community and his quick smile and wit. He will be missed by our family. May all the many amazing memories sustain you in the coming days.

  18. On 06/01/2020 at 5:48 pm Mary Jane Kelly Said:

    Dear Susan and Family,
    I met Ronnie while still in high school in Ottawa. He was such a great guy and took us down to Mardi Gras and showed us the best time! I was around for the opening of his Rainbow Bistro. a going concern in the market. There was always something exciting happening in Ronnie’s circle! I was happy to reconnect with him at the City Folk fest and we kept in touch on FB and messenger.
    I will miss his friendship big time!
    Thinking of you all and hoping you will get through this devastating time as best can be hoped for.
    RIP Ronnie old friend.
    Love MJ Kelly in Ottawa

  19. On 11/03/2020 at 1:45 am Mediafresco.com Said:

    We encourage you to contact the funeral home to verify time and location before attending services or visitation.