Ronald Bast Hackett

Other Events:

• Elected Office: Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Woolwich Township - councillor
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-147617

Notes:

HACKETT, Ronald Bast Passed away suddenly at the Wingham and District Hospital on Friday, December 23, 2016, at the age of 80 years. Ron was the beloved husband of Reta (Vandevrie) Hackett. Father of John and Sharon Hackett of St. Marys, Nancy Moon of Milton, Brent and Angela Hackett of Windsor, and Bryan and Caroline Hackett of Milton. Remembered by his 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Carolyn Blackstone and her friend Ken Hilton of Fergus and Art and Ellen of Merrickville. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia and parents Walter and Elvira (Bast) Hackett. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home , 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Christian Fellowship Church, 315 Northlake Dr., Waterloo. Interment in Hawkesville Cemetery. As expression of sympathy, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Waterloo Region Record 24 Dec 2016

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Friends and colleagues recall contributions of Ron Hackett
Former Wellesley councillor and busy community volunteer passed away just before Christmas at the age of 80

Former Wellesley Township councillor, dedicated volunteer and community supporter Ron Hackett passed away on Dec. 23. He was 80.

Hackett served three terms on Wellesley council representing Hawkesville before retiring in 2006. While he retired from politics, he certainly wasn't absent in the community. He previously served as the chair of the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society, as well as with the Wellesley Horticultural Society, the Local Architectural Conservancy Advisory Committee, Kiwanis Transit, the Hawkesville Community Centre board and the Hawkesville Cemetery board.

His love of sports was evidenced by his commitment to the Elmira Sugar Kings as a volunteer as well as serving as a director for many years. At home games you'd often see him selling apple cider or ice cream sundaes.

Former Wellesley mayor Ross Kelterborn remembers his fellow councillor and friend fondly.

"He really represented his area and the people really well. He was a true township councillor, not only did he look after his people in his ward very well but his interests were for the betterment of the township and the region as a whole," Kelterborn said.

He notes Hackett always did his research on issues discussed at council and was adamant about getting all the facts before he made up his mind. Once he made up his mind though, that was it.

"You couldn't have got a person that was more committed to doing for the people of the township what he did. He even used to attend regional council meetings, especially when the LRT was going on to express his opinion," Kelterborn said.

He was also known as the go-to guy around town when looking for information about nearly anything in the township, which is not surprising given the variety of groups and committees he volunteered for.

"He was very influential in bringing the information to people that it was necessary for and I think of Chervin Woodworks for an example. They were looking for a place to develop anywhere and he drew them to Hawkesville. I need not say any more about the success of that particular situation," Kelterborn said.

Kelterborn recalls Hackett attempted to develop a plan for Hawkesville to include sewers so it could have become a larger, more developed area. It wasn't successful, but the effort was there.

"He was a good guy. You were lucky to have him as a friend," Kelterborn said.

Current township Mayor Joe Nowak also served on council with Hackett over a decade ago when Nowak was a councillor.

"He certainly always knew his file and I think he worked very hard. He always had the well being of the community at heart, that was his nature. He was particularly strong with his interest in the historical aspect of the community," Nowak said.

He notes he had a lot of respect for the way he treated people and the way he dealt with the issues presented to council.

"I know he was well appreciated in Hawkesville. He was always there for the people," Nowak said.

Sugar Kings president Dave O'Donoghue recalls Hackett was always the first one to volunteer to help out, regardless of the task.

"More than that, though, he was an idea generator, always looking for new ways to help us raise the money needed to run the team. With Ron, though, it wasn't just about raising money, he wanted to do it in ways that would help the community, contributed to a strong partnership with the township and ways that helped provide a better fan experience," O'Donoghue said.

Hackett played a large role in the Kings' annual charity jersey auctions, always approaching council to assist with ice and rental fees for the day. He also was the driving force in changing it from a silent auction to a live auction. Both of those efforts resulted in higher proceeds. He also helped with the Home and Garden Expo and took it upon himself to bring ice cream sundaes to the home games, like he had seen other teams do. O'Donoghue says his contributions didn't go unnoticed by the team.

Kelterborn retrieves the program from Hackett's funeral, which was held in December, and reads a line from it aloud.

"'Well done, a good and thankful servant.' I thought that summed it all up for Ron. I lost a good friend," Kelterborn said, his voice breaking.

Neilson, W. (2017). Friends and colleagues recall contributions of Ron Hackett. ObserverXtra. Retrieved 6 January 2017, from https://observerxtra.com/2017/01/05/friends-colleagues-recall-contributions-ron-hackett/

Ronald married Elizabeth Joy Snider (daughter of Abram Leonard "Leonard" Snider and Almeda Bearinger) [Group Sheet]

Ronald married Patricia Jack 28 Nov 1987. Patricia was born 2 May 1946; died 12 Mar 1998. [Group Sheet]

Ronald married Alma Hodgson [Group Sheet]

Ronald married Reta Vandevrie [Group Sheet]