Obituary of Ronald James Revelle OMM, CD

Ronald James Revelle, OMM, CD, passed away at the Eden Retirement Villa in Fredericton on January 16, 2025. Born in Kingston, ON, he was the son of the late James and Florence Revelle.

In August 1958, at the age of 16, Ron joined the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps’ Soldier Apprentices in Montreal, starting a career in the Canadian Armed Forces that would span 46 years. Even though he took a break from the Forces to work with Atlas Construction in 1965, it didn’t last long as he re-enrolled as a Cpl in 1968 and went on, being promoted to Sgt in 1974, commissioned from the ranks to Lt in 1976, promoted again to Captain in 1979 and then to Major in 1985. He served in numerous places including CFS Aldergrove in BC, CFB Chatham, Saint John, Moncton and CFB Gagetown, bringing his wife and young son with him. He also completed a 7-month tour with 2 RCR in Cyprus with the United Nations in 1973-74.

In 1991, Ron accepted the appointment as Detachment Commander, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Atlantic). He was responsible for 72 Cadet Corps (3500) cadets and Camp Argonaut in Oromocto, home of the Army Cadet Summer Training Centre. This is where he remained until his retirement in 2006. Ron was extremely proud of his cadets. One of his greatest accomplishments was to organize and coordinate a parade in Moncton, involving close to 2300 cadets from all over NB and PEI, to celebrate the Millenium in 2000. It was the largest cadet parade ever held.

During his years with the Forces, Ron received numerous awards and accolades starting with the Soldier Apprentice Medal in 1959, the Mobile Command Commendation in 1975, the Base Commanders Commendation of CFB Chatham in 1983, the Order of Military Merit in 1985, presented by her Excellency, the Right Honorable Jeanne Sauvé, and the Maritime commendation in 2005. He was proud to have received the 3^rd Clasp to the Canadian Armed Forces Decoration, awarded to members who have completed 42 years of service. He also received numerous awards from the Sea, Army and Navy units during his tenure with the Cadet Organization. 

Ron always found time for sports, either playing, managing, coaching or directing; he was well known around the local arenas!  As a goaltender, he played in the Regionals with Chilliwack, Chatham, Moncton and Gagetown, winning many championships along the way. He was deeply involved in Minor Hockey throughout the years. An article in the Oromocto Post cited Ron as “Mr. Hockey” in April 1997. The following year he was awarded the Town of Oromocto Achievement Award for Outstanding Achievement in Hockey at the International Level.

Ron was also an avid baseball player, badminton player and even won a ping-pong championship in BC. In 1981 he coached the CFB Chatham Women’s Fastball team to the Atlantic Regional Championships. He was involved in Biathlon, co-ordinating the Canadian Cadet Biathlon Championship in Charlo, NB, in 2003, bringing in cadets from across Canada, and then he went on to win the Biathlon Builder award for NB in 2006.

To keep him going, after he retired from the Forces, Ron became a civil servant, managing a laundry section at Argonaut until 2015.

Ron leaves behind his loving wife Marilyn (Barnes) with whom he spent 62 years of marriage; his two sons, Gordon and his wife Marise of Moncton and David and his wife Chantal of Edmonton, Alberta; four grandchildren that were dear to Ron’s heart, Chloe, Keegan, Zacharey and Caryne. He also leaves three sisters, Mrs. Glenda Fraser and Mrs. Joanie Shepherd of Kingston, ON, and Mrs. Joanne Vallat of Regina, SK., as well as many extended family members and friends.

A visitation will be held at Oromocto Funeral Home on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. A private funeral service for family will take place at a later time. For those who wish donations in Ron's memory may be made to the Army Cadet League of Canada. https://www.armycadetleague.ca/donate/