Horne, Ronald "Ronnie" Joseph, age 76, of Antigonish passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

Born in Little Dover, Guysborough Co., he was a son of the late Harry and Lucy (Keefe) Horne.

Ronnie was a well known figure in Antigonish. He worked at Bethany for several years, drove the Antigonish Wholesalers truck for twenty years and worked at Highland Building Supplies for twenty-five years, until his retirement in 2015. Ronnie was a real sports enthusiast enjoying all sports, especially hockey, baseball and bowling. He coached minor hockey for more than twenty years. He was a life long Montreal Canadiens fan. He also enjoyed politics and never backed down from a good debate.

Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of almost fifty years, Mary Ann (Melanson); son, David of Pomquet; daughter Denise, Antigonish and Ronnie’s pride and joy, his grandson, Jarrett; sister, Anita (Enos) Richard, Canso; brothers: Cyril (Sandra), Westville; Terry (Marg), Canso; Paul (Lorna) Canso; Gary, Little Dover; brother in law, Clair MacDonald, Little Dover; sisters in law: Bernadette, Lorraine and Marie Melanson of Antigonish; brother in law, Leonard (Bev) Melanson of Hopewell. Ronnie was loved and will be greatly missed by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his sister, Phyllis MacDonald; brother Kevin, in infancy; brother in law, Freddie Melanson and in laws Annie Mae and John Melanson.

Visitation will be in C.L. Curry Funeral Home on Sunday from 7 to 9 pm and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be in St. Ninian Cathedral on Tuesday at 11 am with Reverend Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery.

Family flowers only please. The family request memorial donations be made to The Lodge That Gives, where Ronnie found great solace during his treatments or to a charity of choice. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.