Ronald John McGuffin
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father Ron McGuffin, 64. He passed away peacefully on December 1, 2025.
He was born to parents John and Liz McGuffin on May 30, 1961 in Calgary, Alberta. Ron graduated from Henry Wise Wood High School and moved to Edmonton to go to the University of Alberta where he received a degree in Geology. During university Ron joined the fraternity Phi Delta Theta and was a proud member where he gained many lifelong friends.
Ron is survived by his daughters Sarah McGuffin (Carlyle) and Emily McGuffin (Dallas) who he was incredibly proud of and loved them dearly. He is also survived by his sister Alison Muir and his nieces Kennedy and Ellen Muir. He was predeceased by his parents John and Liz McGuffin.
Ron was an avid skier and has many fond memories of skiing with Downhill Riders and his family. Growing up close to the mountains he has many memories hiking with his parents and sister Alison, along with their dachshunds Tony and Schneider. He also loved his basset hounds; his daughters grew up with Barney and Baxter, having many memories of them chasing rabbits on icy sidewalks in Laurier Heights. He had recently gotten back into golfing which he always had a passion for.
Ron was very social and had the ability to make a connection with anyone he met. He loved to share his opinions about politics, TV shows and movies and was always recommending things to watch or read. He was an avid fan of golf and hockey and there was never any doubt on Sundays he would be watching golf. Our dad always enjoyed sharing great conversation over a cup of coffee or glass of scotch with friends and family. Ron always felt very connected to his Irish roots and hoped to visit Ireland one day. Although he never made it to Ireland, Ron always enjoyed travelling and spent many years travelling to Hawaii growing up. Ron will be deeply missed by his daughters and close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details will be provided when a date and time is finalized.
I’m so Sorry to hear about Ron. We meat years ago at the Centre Club Fitness. Our lockers were close to each other and we became good friends. I always enjoyed our fellowship and discussion. Truly a great guy. Ron will be missed by many🤝
Sarah and Emily I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad was an awesome friend and neighbor. We stayed in touch all these years, keeping track of you girls and what was happening in our lives. He will be missed.
Brenda Hartmann
I was so sad to hear about Ron’s passing. We went to high school together and years later reconnected on Facebook. It was a nice way to stay in touch with friends from high school. I enjoyed our conversations and seeing his posts about his family. One thing for sure he sure loved his two daughters and was very proud of you both. The world lost a good one and he will be missed. May all your wonderful memories of your dad help you through this difficult time. Gone but never forgotten, forever in our hearts! 🥰
Dear Allison, Sarah, and Emily,
This is Debbie Taylor (nee O’Keeffe) here.
We are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. This comes as a hug shock.
Us O’Keeffe’s and the McGuffins grew up together; Allison and Ron, and we all had such fun times together, along with Liz and John, as well as our mum and dad- Betty and Bob. We had many dinners together, went to the mountains, together, celebrated Christmas and New Year’s together , and of course, as kids mum and Liz and Allison and Ron and all of us O’Keeffe kinds, went to the Calgary Stampede every year.
Sarah and Emily, although we never met, I followed your growing up through your dad’s posts; he was so proud of both of you and he loved you very much.
Allison, although we haven’t seen each other for a very long time, I always think of you.
To all of you, my deepest, deepest sympathies and condolences. If there is anything at all I can do for you, please.
Rest in Peace dear Ron.
I am very sorry to hear that Ron passed away. Ron and I grew up together in Calgary and attended UofA together in Edmonton. I am sorry he never made it to Ireland, but I know he was very proud of his daughters.
Hello Stu, I hope you’re doing well. Great memories of Ron from U of A, you were all lots of fun to hang with.
Your DG friend,
Jackie Johnson Bernard
Ron and I graduated from Henry Wise Wood in 1979. I taught his mom and sister in tennis at the Chinook tennis courts in 1981. I attended his first wedding in 1988. We had many conversations over a beer over the years remembering our time at Wise Wood. Ron and his family were an important part of my life. Ron was my brother from another mother. RIP my brother.
Oh man, way too soon for Ron. I met Ron at Wisewood and missed him by one year in the U of A geology program. We met after 30 years back in Edmonton and I asked for and learned some valuable life lessons from him that afternoon. Sorry to see him go so soon. Very best wishes to him and his family.
I 1st met Ron at Seba Beach they had a family cabin there. Over the years we stayed friends and would run into each other in the strangest locations and laugh at the similar people who we knew but never realized that the connection between them and us existed…..He definitely was one of the more unique individuals who I ever had a friendship with.
I Grieve with Thee
May Rest Eternal be granted unto thee Old Friend, O Lord, and let Love and perpetual light shine upon him.
Sarah and Emily.
So sorry for your loss. Ron could not have asked for two more caring and loving daughters.
Sarah and Emily I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your dad!! I am shocked by the news!! He loved you both so very much and thought you were the best aspects of his life!! Sending love!! May he rest in peace!❤️
Unfortunately I will not be able to make Ron’s celebration of life but I wanted to pay tribute to Ron, “the man with the perfect hair.”
When I grew up, one of my favorite TV shows was The Man from UNCLE. Robert Vaughn played Napolean Solo. He had the perfect hair – he could run jump, you name it and his hair always stayed in place. This was Ron McGuffin. We used to call him the man with the perfect hair in high school. His hair was never out of place.
We used to also call Ron “street smart” because he knew what street everyone lived on. In hindsight, he was probably the greatest networker I have ever met. He had this uncanny ability to connect with anyone over a short period of time through either his love of sports, travel, family, or music. You name it, Ron had an opinion on it. Through his networking, he collaborated on more things than I could imagine. Unbelievable.
Malcolm Gladwell in the book “Tipping Point” talks about Paul Revere the man who said the famous line “the redcoats are coming.” Gladwell portrays Revere as the most plugged in or connected man in his generation. Ron gets my vote for my generation. If wealth was measured by people known, Ron was the richest man I knew. He will be sorely missed by many. RIP