And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.
Obituary
Ronald Reuben Gustafson
October 8, 1952 – January 17, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ronald Gustafson announces his passing on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the age of 72.
Ron was born in Duluth, Minnesota on October 8th, 1952, to Reuben and Mildred Gustafson, as the third of four children. He proved himself to be a gifted athlete from an early age, participating in multiple sports. His first love was football, and while at Morgan Park HS in Duluth he earned All-State honors and captained the team to a State Title.
His talents on the field were rewarded with an athletic scholarship to the University of North Dakota in 1971, where he went on to enjoy a successful career as a record setting Wide Receiver with the Fighting Sioux. Among his many accolades included were Team Captain, All-American and 1973 Camellia Bowl Champion. His play making abilities and sure hands led his teammates to nickname him “Magic.” He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1975, followed by stints with the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Rams. Ron “Magic” Gustafson was inducted into the UND Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 and named to the “All-Century Team” in 1994 as one of the top 100 players in North Dakota history.
When he hung up his football cleats, he turned his talents to fast pitch softball and played with the Winnipeg Colonels of the Western Fastball League. In 1981 he was named to the Canadian National Softball team and participated in the World Games in Santa Clara California.
While at UND, Ron met his wife Monica (Davidson) Gustafson. They were married in July of 1977 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and made their home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ron put his degree in education to work, beginning his teaching and coaching career at Churchill High School in 1978. He moved to Grant Park High School in 1982 where he took on the Head Coach position for the Pirates football team and taught Industrial Arts, Physical Education and Career Development. He retired from coaching in 1997 and continued his involvement with Winnipeg High School Football as League Commissioner. As Commissioner, he was instrumental in expanding and tiering the league, creating more opportunities for participation in the sport he loved. Ron and Monica retired from their careers in education in 2009.
Ron and Monica raised two children – daughter Kara born in 1980 and son Erik born in 1983. Ron was their biggest fan (and frequent athletic trainer!) throughout many years of football games and dance competitions. Some of his proudest moments as a father were watching his daughter compete in the Canadian National Highland Dancing Championships representing Manitoba, and watching his son win the Vanier Cup with the University of Manitoba Bison in 2007. Football was a family event, and during his coaching years everyone had a job – Erik as waterboy, Kara running the downs markers and Monica recording statistics for the Grant Park Pirates. As a family they enjoyed many travels, with weeks long summer road trips all over Canada and the US, as well as international travel to the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe. More recently they enjoyed a family trip to Italy in celebration of 45 years of marriage in 2022 and are thankful for the time they were able to spend together as a family this Christmas.
In 2016, Ron and Monica decided to become permanent snowbirds, leaving the winters of Winnipeg behind for sunny Arizona, and settling in a Retirement Golf Community outside of Tucson. They stayed busy with golf, ballroom dancing, trivia, bocce ball and socializing with their new friends. Ever the educator, Ron volunteered as trainer for the Community Wood Shop, teaching fellow retirees how to use the equipment and complete projects. They continued their love of travel, crisscrossing Europe and spending time in Bucerias, Mexico. In 2023, after 7 years in the sun, they made the decision to return home to Canada, settling in Kingsville, Ontario.
Ron will be remembered by many athletic organizations, having been honored by several groups: University of North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame as an individual player and as a member of the Camillia Bowl Team; Manitoba Football Hall of Fame; Grant Park High School Athletic Hall of Fame; Churchill High School Athletic Hall of Game; Winnipeg High School Football Hall of Fame; and Softball Manitoba Hall of Fame as an individual player and with two teams.
Ron is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Monica; daughter Kara & partner Stephen; son Erik and wife Sara; sister Judy and brother-in-law Jerry Hinnenkamp; brother Gord and sister-in-law Barb Gustafson; sister Kathy and brother-in-law Dan Donnelly; sister-in-law & brother-in-law Sheila Davidson & Marty Knezovich; brother-in-law Peter Lecky; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Reuben and Mildred Gustafson and his Mother-in-law & Father-in-law Eileen & Rae Davidson.
A Celebration of Ron’s Life will be held June 14th at 1pm, Paul Albrechtsen MultiPlex, St Paul’s High School Winnipeg.
If you plan to attend the Celebration of Life, please RSVP in the Tribute Section
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made towards:
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute
800 Commissioners Rd E
London, Ontario.
N6A 5W9
Attention Dr. R. Davey, Heart Failure
Timeline
Gallery
Memory wall
*Massive neck and athletic build
Possible he taught metal shop as well?
Gentle giant to me as a youngster.He'd have been in his late 20's then but seemed 'old' to me at 14. He reminded me of Hulk Hogan then, with a massive neck and massive neck. While memories dim over the years, recall him having good values, a really decent fellow. Condolences to his family, deserved to live much longer and enjoy life.
Family tree
Donate
In order that the team can continue their work, we would ask that Memorial Donations be made to:
London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute
800 Commissioners Rd E
London, Ontario.
N6A 5W9
Attention Dr. R. Davey, Heart Failure
