Funeral Ceremony of Ronald D. Southern
On January 28, 2016, Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended the funeral ceremony and celebration of life of Ronald D. Southern, C.C., C.B.E, A.O.E.
Fri, 01/29/2016 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG02-2016-0014-004
About 1,500 guests attended the funeral service.
Fri, 01/29/2016 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG02-2016-0014-022
Reverend Nicholas Coates delivered the Opening Prayer. The ceremony took place at Spruce Meadows, in Calgary. Mr. Southern and his wife Margaret were the vision and driving force behind the creation, construction and operations of Spruce Meadows, an equestrian centre of international renown.
Fri, 01/29/2016 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG02-2016-0014-024
Their Excellencies accompanied Mrs. Southern as her husband's body was carried outside the room, following the ceremony.
Fri, 01/29/2016 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG02-2016-0014-031
Mr. Southern was a member of the Order of Canada and a Canadian business icon. Chair of the ATCO Group, he displayed vision, leadership and an astute sense of business that guided the company's steady growth from a small trailer rental company into an international conglomerate. Co-chair of Spruce Meadows, an equestrian centre of international renown, he was an engaged host of its round table forums on world affairs.
Fri, 01/29/2016 - 12:00 MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall GG02-2016-0014-033