Ball, Rodger Henry

It is with deep sadness and sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing of Rodger Ball in his 71st year on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Orillia Mariposa House Hospice as the result of several strokes.

Rodger was the beloved husband and life long companion of his wife Suzanne (nee Jacky) for almost 46 years.

Dear brother of Rosemary McDonald (Ralph), Elizabeth Beuttenmuller (Erhard) and Rodney Ball.

Dear brother-in-law of Pamela Kelly (Leonard Ritza) and Timothy Jacky (Nancy).

Also sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews and cousins and his great many friends.

Predeceased by his mother Lillian King and father Henry Ball.

We will all miss Rodger’s smile and laughter.

Special heart felt thanks to Rodger’s sister Rosemary and Ralph for always helping and supporting Rodger and Suzanne throughout their lives and especially during the past months with phone calls, visits to the hospital and loving support.

Rodger’s many work friends from Union Gas, Sparlings and recently Avenir came to visit him in the hospital and brought smiles and thumbs up from Rodger. And our many neighbours and Suzanne’s girlfriends who helped with phone calls, visits with hugs, food and overall love and support, a special thank you to everyone.

And many thanks to the wonderful nurses, PSW’s, doctors and speech/occupational/physio therapists at the hospital who worked and encouraged Rodger.

Rodger loved outdoor activities even from an early age. He had his first motor cycle at 15. He enjoyed downhill skiing and his nickname was ‘The Pod Man’ after Steve Podborski, the Olympic speed skier. Rodger was always the daredevil on the slopes. He was also on the ski patrol team and in London taught the visually impaired to ski. He enjoyed snowmobiling too and as recently as a few years ago he volunteered as a trail groomer in Muskoka.

But his other passion was motorcycling on his many Honda Goldwings. He turned that passion into teaching the Motorcycle Training Course through Fanshawe College in London and Sarnia. He was a very skilled and safe driver, always advocating safety. He was very proud to be asked to teach this course. This served him well when a deer jumped out in front of him and was t-boned by him in 2001 near Port Stanley. He sustained injuries but his full face helmet, leathers, boots and gloves saved his life.

Rodger’s other joy were our many pet dogs and cats. (Yes he loved our cats as well !) Callie, our little cocker spaniel is especially missing her Dad.

Cremation has taken place and a life celebration will be planned for the summer.

As an expression of sympathy, donations in the name of Rodger may be made to the Orillia Mariposa House Hospice, the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital or the Orillia SPCA. Arrangements entrusted to the Mundell Funeral Home.