March 4,1949 - March 3, 2023
The family of Dale Richard Caron is saddened to announce the passing of their husband, father, grandfather and brother on March 3, 2023. Dale is survived by his wife Judy, children Darcy Caron, Dawn (Mike) Lashmar, Jackie (Gord) Milgate and Debbie Kudlik (Josh); grandchildren Kohen & Elijah Lashmar, Kaylynn (Adam) Milgate, Mason (Kelly) Milgate, Jaycee Milgate, Brody Kudlik, McKoy Kudlick and Bryson Kudlick; sisters Linda Then (Walt) and Cheryl (Todd) Caron, his aunts Grace Jasper and Jeanette Debolt. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Dale was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Valerie Caron, brothers Randall, Cal, Daniel and nephew Jared.
Dale was born in Calgary, Alberta and was raised in Montgomery, Alberta before it was part of the city. He had fond memories of shooting gophers and causing general childhood mayhem where Shouldice Park now sits. He attended and proudly played football at St. Francis High School. In 1956, his parents bought a summer property at Raven- near Spruceview, Alberta and the family eventually moved there in 1975, creating the Caron Family Farm where Dale and Judy moved in 2019. During those early years at the farm Dale enjoyed helping his dad construct the various buildings on the property, horseback riding, camping, spending time with extended family and causing a little more mayhem.
Dale had two children Darcy and Dawn with his first wife Dianne. When he married Judy he added two more daughters Debbie and Jackie. Not only was he an amazing Dad, he was the very best Grandpa any kid could ask for and has left behind eight grandchildren who adored him. He particularly enjoyed driving to all their sporting events, which took up many miles and weekends.
At age 12, he started working during the summers with his father’s construction company, Oscar Caron Construction and went on to graduate from SAIT with a diploma in Structural Engineering Technology. He worked beside his father and grandfather, taking over the company when his dad retired. Darcy worked alongside his dad for many years and Dawn also worked with Dale after high school for several years. It was truly a family business. He built his family's home and three of his own homes over his lifetime, the last being just a few years ago in his early 70’s. While in the construction industry, Dale built or renovated nearly all the Humpty’s Restaurants in western Canada as well as many Smitty’s, Ricki’s, Petro Canada’s and Fat Burgers. He built houses, apartment buildings and commercial buildings all over Alberta. He mentored many students, and several nephews, made many lifelong relationships through his work and was very well respected during his construction years.
Dale was a kind man with a large presence who would do anything for anyone. He followed his dad as an avid Lion’s Club member most of his adult life and was the best pancake flipper anyone ever met - he kept a clean grill and taught many a Lion how to do the same. He catered many meals during his time with the Lions. He was a founding Director of the Bow Rivers Edge Campground in Cochrane and the most long standing board member. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Dedicated Humanitarian Services through the Lions Foundation. He was always ready to lend a hand, if an individual or an organization needed something all they had to do was ask.
He loved his family fiercely and gave love freely. He loved watching his grandkids play sports, golfing, gambling, campfires, dancing, a day by the river, his dogs, his home, building things, Fords, being politically controversial and driving around in his golf cart. Right up to the end, Dale lived his life on his own terms. The most difficult thing is to attempt to sum up the kind of man Dale was and how much impact he had on everyone he knew in just a few short paragraphs.
Dale went peacefully with his son and daughter by his side the day before his 74 birthday. He had a short but fierce battle with cancer after successfully managing heart disease for 20 years. The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at the Sundre Hospital, we just don’t know what we would have done without you all over the past year. Memorial donations can be made in his name to Sundre Hospital Futures (sundrehospitalfutures.com). A Celebration of Life is being held on March 14, 2023 at 1 pm Cochrane Lions Event Centre 109 Fifth Ave, Cochrane, AB. Lunch to follow.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.cochranecountryfuneral.com
