Ronald Gordon Fratton

Mr. Ronald Gordon Fratton, age 67 years, was called home to heaven on February 6, 2021 after a heroic battle with cancer.

Ronald, lovingly called “The Leprechaun” by his closest friends, was born on August 1, 1953 in Port Arthur, now Thunder Bay, Ontario. He worked at the Port Arthur Shipyards for 40 years as an International Boilermaker and was the Vice President of the United Steelworkers of America Local Union # 5055 until 2001, when he had to retire due to health issues.

Ronald loved hockey and was a devoted Detroit Red Wings fan. He liked playing pool and enjoyed having his closest friends David McAllister and Daniel “Kojak” Van Arkel come for visits at his home to either play poker or watch hockey and have a few laughs just reminiscing about the good old days. He liked all genres of music, antique cars, and loved collecting coins along with hockey memorabilia. He was a wizard of knowledge when it came to knowing the sport of hockey. Ronald was a jack-of-all-trades and was the kind of man who, if he didn’t know how to make or fix something, he would read up on it and learn how to do it on his own. He had a big heart and was the kindest and most giving man you could ever know. His humorous ways of telling a story could make you laugh and smile. He will be truly missed by all those who have been blessed to know him.

Ronald is survived by and will be lovingly remembered and missed by his sister Violet and Joe DePaola; nephew/caretaker and best friend John DePaola and his children Ashley and Dustin DePaola; great-nephews James and Troy DePaola; great-niece Danielle DePaola; niece Donna DePaola and her children Anthony, Hope and Cal Collings; nephew Sam DePaola as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Ronald was predeceased by his mother Mildred “Millie” Fratton and his father James Fratton; brothers Billy and Mervin Fratton; sister Cora Nystrom and his niece Eleanor DePaola.

A special thank you to Ronald’s physicians, Dr. Hagerty, Dr. Chan, and Dr. Davis, the nurses and Mr. Donald Hutchinson for their care and support. A very special thanks to Patricia “Patty” Belcher who went above and beyond to make sure Ron’s last wishes of being able to live out his life in his own home and not at a hospital were respected; thank you for your great care and devotion in helping Ron throughout his final months.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 12, 2021 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre presided by Rev. Robert Smith. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the service will be closed to the public for in-person attendance. However, please visit www.harbourviewfuneral.ca to view the service live or at a later time. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, Northern Cancer Fund, would be appreciated.