Ronald Murray Rutherford

Born November 8th, 1915 in Revelstoke, BC. Passed away peacefully on September 15, 2015 in Vancouver. Youngest son of Jessie and Jock Rutherford. Predeceased by his first wife, Beatrice Rutherford, and his daughter, Carol McRae. Survived by his wife Nettie Barad, children Janet Lynn Rutherford, Murray Rutherford, and Sherrill Rutherford, grandchildren Alwyn Rutherford, Trevor Rutherford, and Bradley McRae, and great-granddaughters Asia and Marina McRae.

After graduating from McGill University in engineering, Ron had a long and successful career as an engineer and business executive. He worked with Shawinigan Water & Power Company in Quebec and Bechtel Engineering in California, and eventually became a vice president of Westcoast Transmission Company and president of Pacific Northern Gas in BC.

As a young man, Ron excelled as an all round athlete. His main sports were basketball, tennis, golf and ski jumping. He played for and captained the McGill varsity basketball team, coached basketball after graduating, and played on a Navy team in Halifax when he served there during the war.

Ron’s other passion was music. His sister Ruby gave him a clarinet when he was young, and he became an avid fan of big band music. He played clarinet and saxophone, arranged music, and led big bands in Montreal and Vancouver. In retirement Ron formed and led the Preservation of Swing Orchestra, and in collaboration with Nettie, established the Society for the Preservation of Swing and Big Band Music. They held monthly dances in the Vancouver area, filling large hotel ballrooms and providing entertainment and enjoyment for the many people who shared their love of swing music.

In everything Ron did, he was truly a leader. We miss him.