LAURIE, Ron Laurie

He was 95, died peacefully at Stratford General Hospital on May 20, 2026, with his beloved wife Julie at his side.

Ron Laurie was born in Toronto. When he started playing the cello at age 13 or 14, he took to it immediately and knew that he didn’t want to do anything else. After studying with Toronto Symphony cellists, he joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1956. Throughout his career he played with several major Canadian ensembles including a few seasons with the Stratford Festival during the early 1960s. His playing is featured on many recordings.

Following his retirement from the TSO in 1996 he continued to play whenever he was given the chance. He and Julie moved to Stratford in 2000 and took part in the first concert of the Stratford Civic Orchestra, now the Stratford Symphony Orchestra, sharing a stand. Ron continued with the SSO until 2018 when he survived a devastating illness that kept him in hospital for 11 weeks followed by months of recovery at home. Already deaf in his left ear due to an illness in 2004, his right ear was now affected not only by severe hearing loss, but he could no longer hear music as music. Despite this tragedy he never complained. He said he had had the best job in the world and was lucky that the deafness did not happen while he was working.

Those who knew him, especially in his final years, know his love of telling stories from his long career in music, model ships-he built a 4-foot model of HMS Victory, reading history-of the Plantagenets and World War II, his ‘big blue’ sweater, his wood burning fireplace in winter, and enjoying the garden with Julie under the overdoodle in summer.

In accordance with Ron’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial donations to the Stratford General Hospital or The Stratford Symphony Orchestra may be made through the funeral home. www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com

‘-That tho’ I knew not in what time or place,

Methought that I had often met with you,

And either lived in either’s heart and speech.’