Ron was born in Warracknabeal, Victoria to Hugh Smith and Jean Robertson and became younger brother to Russell, in February 1932.
His father, Hugh, was with the railways, so Ron lived in many country Victorian towns until his family settled in Footscray in 1942. Ron started his printing apprenticeship in 1946 and started playing baseball in 1947. In 1957 he left for an overseas life of work and play, before marrying his wife Jacqueline in Canada in 1960.
Ron started his family in 1961 with the birth of Martin followed by Deidree and Nadeine.
In 1961, Ron started his first printing business in Yarraville. He became President of ??the Footscray Baseball Club in 1970 and then President of the Victorian Baseball Association in 1972, a position he held for the next 20 years.
Ron joined Rotary in 1975 and became Director of the Australian Baseball Federation while he continued his printing business. Ron was elected to the Executive Council ??of the Victorian Olympic Committee in 1989 until he resigned in 1994.
Ron was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in recognition and contribution for his services to baseball in 2000.
Ron started a digital printing business in 1990 and continued the business until 2009. Ron was always a man thinking outside the box with numerous ventures including ??an indoor sports training centre, a Japanese Restaurant and continuous forms ??printing in Australia. He became grandfather in 1994 to Matthew and again in 1996 with the birth of Josh. Ron worked hard and enjoyed life to the fullest.
We love Ron dearly and the memories he has left behind will be treasured as we let him rest peacefully.
