Special Friend

This past Friday, I received a call from my brother who delivered some very sad news.  I learned that a dear friend of ours had passed suddenly at the age of 50.  In fact, he had just celebrated  his birthday 32 days before his passing.

My memories of Ron Bunt span over the last 25 plus years.  He was a friend of my brother's and I got to know Ron through him hanging out with my brother.  Ron was a funny, kind, and gentle man.  Ron worked on our farm over the years and he was always a happy spirit who would do just about anything to make others smile.  He was a breath of fresh air to be around on those long work days.  His playfulness and antics were nothing short of plain fun.  Working on the farm was short-term and was only a stepping stone toward Ron's real talent.

Ron was a superb carpenter, and for years, he worked many days and nights on the movie sets in Toronto.  I heard many stories of his adventures in the making of Hollywood films.  One movie that sticks out in my mind is The Bride of Chucky.  The cast and crew seemed to have a lot of fun making that movie.  Ron had pictures of himself and the dolls that he showed me along with sharing many funny stories that transpired through the months of making the movie.  Ron had seen and met many Hollywood artists over the years.

In 2005, I was lucky enough to be invited by Ron to a Wrap Party for Fever Pitch, a film that starred Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon.  A Wrap Party is normally held for the cast and crew to celebrate after the completion of the principle filming.  I ventured up to the GTA and met Ron at his house.  We visited for awhile and ordered a cab to go downtown.  First, we went for an awesome dinner at a place that had three restaurants on three separate floors. After dinner, we went to the Wrap Party in another part of the city.

At the Wrap Party, Ron and I were standing over by a set of pool tables when a guy comes over and starts setting up for a game.  The guy then asked me "if I wanted to play a game of pool?" I remember saying something along the line of "Are you sure because I'd kick your butt." We stood there for a few minutes bantering back and forth.  Ron stood off to the side and looked on with amusement.

During our bantering, I tell the guy, "I know karate", and he replies,"I'll just steal your energy and throw you over my shoulder."  I laughed and turned to Ron who says to me, "do you know who that is?"  I say to him, "I have no idea."  Ron then informs me that it is in fact Jimmy Fallon.  I was in shock - I did not clue into the fact that he was the star of the movie.  After that, I turned all shy and Ron and I went over to the other side  of the room.  For the rest of the night, I avoided making eye contact with Jimmy. Ron and my night together was fun and full of entertainment.  The food and drink was amazing just as a true Hollywood event would be.  Ron and I stayed up really late that night telling stories and laughing.  I can hear his contagious laugh in my mind.

I have often thought about that night and other fun times I had with Ron. Today, I just can't believe that a guy so full of life and so much left is now gone.  His family is so sad - it is heart breaking.  Thank you to Ron's brother who told me that Ron was so fond of me.  I was truly blessed with a friend who cared. 

Click here and view some of the movies that Ron is credited for as being Head Carpenter.  Good on you Ron!

 Just in the past two weeks, I've thought of Ron so many times and was going to call to say hello.  Today, I am wondering why I waited so long. Just like that - my chance to talk to him is gone.

Rest in peace my dear friend.  You were loved by many and are sorrowfully missed.