We are saddened to announce the passing of former NTCI Staff member, Dr. Ronald Roy Wallingford at the age of 92.
Dr. Wallingford’s Obituary:
Our family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at St. Joseph’s Villa for the exceptional care and kindness they provided to him through his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Their support and dedication brought comfort to both our father and our family during a difficult time.
He will be missed dearly by his partner Jo-Ann Junkin, his children, Randy (Cathy), Alex, Roxanne (Kim), Cassandra, Darcy (Donna Lynn), grandchildren, Sam, Jessica (Will), Courtney (Liam), Dawson (Baylee), Pierce (Danielle), Kale, Keon (Ashley), great grandchildren, Eleanor, Benelli, Oakley. We are grateful for the many years we shared with him and will cherish his memory always.
Born in Ottawa, Ron was the second youngest of George and Irene Wallingford’s nine children and is survived by his brother, Errol.
Ron graduated from Glebe Collegiate Institute, Ottawa, before earning a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!); a Master’s degree from McMaster University and a PhD from the University of Buffalo. He remained a loyal University of Michigan sports fan throughout his life.
Ron attended the University of Michigan on an athletic scholarship for track and field, captaining the team to a Big Ten Championship. A long-time elite Canadian distance runner, he competed at the highest levels in Canada for more than 20 years in middle- and long-distance events ranging from the 1500 metres to the marathon.
In 1964, Ron placed third in the Boston Marathon with a remarkable time of 2:20:51 — then the fastest ever run by a Canadian, breaking the national best by more than two minutes. He represented Canada at the 1966 British Empire & Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, finishing sixth in the marathon. Over his career, he competed in three Pan American Games (Chicago 1959, Winnipeg 1967, and Cali, Colombia 1971), held the Canadian record in the 3000-metre steeplechase, and set national-best marathon times.
Ron’s contributions to athletics were widely recognized. He was inducted into the Laurentian University Hall of Fame as a builder, the Sudbury Sports Hall of Fame for his impact as both athlete and coach, the McMaster University Hall of Fame as athlete and coach, and the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame for his lifelong dedication to the sport.
He began his teaching career at North Toronto Collegiate before joining McMaster University, where he taught track and field and gymnastics in the Bachelor of Physical Education program and coached cross country and track and field.
In 1969, Ron moved with his family to Sudbury to join Laurentian University as a professor in the Department of Physical and Health Education, where he taught until his retirement in 1996. Affectionately known as “Doc” by students and athletes, he specialized in physiology and exercise physiology and served in several leadership roles, including Director of Physical Education.
Throughout his distinguished career, Ron coached track and field and cross-country teams to remarkable success. Under his leadership, teams captured multiple Ontario titles and a CIAU national championship — all while he himself continued competing. He also served as Technical Coordinator and Technical Director of the Canadian Track & Field Association in Ottawa and was the Race Director for the marathon at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.
Ron was instrumental in the development of track and field in Sudbury. He was the driving force behind securing a state-of-the-art track facility at Laurentian University, putting Sudbury on the map as a host for international events.
As an author, he wrote three novels inspired by running and athletics: Portrait of a Runner (1985), Chasing (2003), and Never Let Go (2004), reflecting his experiences as an athlete, coach, and educator.
An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Ron reveled in the northern wilderness. He believed that if you weren’t challenging your survival skills, it wasn’t worth doing.
Ron was recognized not only for his accomplishments as a runner, but also for his lasting legacy as a coach, builder, and educator. His dedication to an active life was instilled in his family, who continue that legacy.
- Published in Sudbury.com, March 31, 2026
https://www.sudbury.com/obituaries/celebration-of-life-wallingford-dr-ronald-12080330