March On! ...the history of the
Toronto Optimists Drum & Bugle Corps
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Ron Walsh
Corps: Bantam Optimists, Toronto Optimists
June 3, 1948 — January 29, 2022
Ron entered this world in a somewhat unusual way: he was born on a boat at sea, off the coast of Newfoundland (before it joined Canada)! And, he was named after the captain of the boat! Ron and his family left Newfoundland for Halifax and, eventually, made their way to Toronto.
It was in Toronto that Ron and his older brother, Ed, discovered Drum Corps. They joined the Bantam Optimists around 1962. Ed carried a rifle while Ron played baritone. In 1964, when the Bantam corps folded, they joined the Junior Corps. After Ed aged out, Ron decided to leave the corps.
After leaving the corps, Ron had a variety of jobs. This included a stint at the infamous Rochdale College where Ed was head of security and Ron was a security guard. In 1974, Ron joined General Motors where he stayed until he retired.
We’ve lost a very fine fellow.
Ron. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!
Toronto Optimists rehearsing indoors (1964)