RON STONOGA
1950 - January 3, 2014
Ron Stonoga passed away suddenly on
January 3, 2014 at his home in Sacremento,
California at a young age of 63. He was
born in Winnipeg in 1950 but left the city
for Vancouver and then San Francisco in
the mid 1970s.
Ron was well known in town for his musical
talents as he played both bass and lead
guitar in several local rock bands. He was
well respected amongst musicians for his
creativity and his commitment to his
music. In his last days he was teaching
his craft to the next generation of
musicians in the San Francisco bay area.
He had many friends in both the Winnipeg
and the San Francisco area.
Ron chose a simple life without a lot of
material possessions and was often
described as a kind and gentle soul. He
was a caring dad, a protecting son and
will be missed by all that knew him.
He is survived by his daughter Rebecca
Kelley Stonoga (Becky) of San Carlos,
California, his mother Joyce and brother
Dave (Sandera, nephews Graeme and Reid) of
White Rock, BC.
A small memorial service was held for Ron
in the San Carlos area on January 30. In
lieu of flowers and personal online
donations, please donate to the Heart and
Stroke Foundation.
As
published in Winnipeg Free Press on
February 01, 2014
Condolences & Memories
I was saddened to hear of Ron's passing.
We met & played together briefly in
Vancouver along with Dan Colleaux and a
singer named Tree. We rehearsed in deep
earnestness, but Vancouver's 'live' music
scene will never equal Winnipeg's bursting
at the seam hot bed of rock & roll. We
met again in San Francisco where Ron
hooked up with what was left of Big
Brother, Janis Joplin's band. Again the
Musician's Union had things sown up there
& freelance work was scarce & it
was a struggle to be a performing
musician. Ron held out and I could not. My
young family & I left a balmy +75
degree San Francisco International Airport
and landed at Winnipeg International
sitting at -40 below. I was never so happy
to get home. I got back to work playing
music almost immediately. I often wondered
where Ron, Dan & Tree were at times
and wished them a happy circumstance.
Sacramento, eh? Not bad, Ron. Good on you!
See ya later, bro!
- Posted by: billy joe green (band mate)
on: Mar 24, 2015
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