It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ron Louden of Bathurst, NB, who passed away peacefully with the love of his life by his side on July 13, 2024 at Chaleur Regional Hospital.

Born in Campbellton, NB he was the son of Bertha(St Onge) and Raymond Louden and was predeceased by his sister, Patricia.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Gail (Knowles) and his children: James Louden in Canmore, AB; Sean Louden (Geneviève) in Shawinigan, QC; Lindsay Louden in Edmonton, AB; Patrick Louden (Nicole) in Bathurst, NB; and Trish Massart in Ottawa, ON. As well as his much-loved grandchildren, Emma and Penelope.

There isn’t a stream, mountain, motorhome or Diet Pepsi that won’t remind us of his vibrant, one of a kind personality.

Besides his many trips to the camp in North Tetagouche over the last 2 decades, Ron was the director of the “Boys’ Club” for many years and led tours into the woods to teach treking and survival skills to youth. He frequented Baxter State Park in Maine to climb Mt. Katahdin, and Mount Carleton provincial park, telling lots of campfire stores including the legend of the “Sidehill Gouger”.

His love for the outdoors was a great complement to his career as a Federal Fisheries and Oceans officer for over 25 years.

Ron was an entrepreneur for the better part of his life. He ran a bottled water company “La Spring”, and “Nepisiguit River Tours”, a guided fishing and canoeing company.

 He also worked as a manpower counsellor for the government and helped in the process of acclimating South Asian refugees to Canada. He served as a city councillor and deputy mayor for the city of Bathurst.

Ron was very proud of his children and has inspired them to accomplish great things in life, as he did. He will be dearly missed by his entire family and anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing someone as tough as nails.

He was well known for his love of the outdoors: fishing, hiking, camping, and enthusiasm for life. He was also known for being master of the lost art, canoe poling.

Give Ron a camper, a dog, his dog, your dog, any dog, an open highway, and he was in his element; the destination was secondary to the journey.

A graveyard service will be held Friday, July 19 at 11:00 am at the Christ Church Cemetery in Clifton, and all who want to say goodbye to Ron are welcome to attend.

For those who wish, donations in memory of Ron can be made to the SPCA.