By Pepper Parr
April 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Ronnie is having quite a run.
Things began to heat up for Ron Foxcroft when he got a call from the Mayor asking him to head up the fund raising that had to be done for the August 2014 flood victims
Then there was the tragic murder of Cpl Nathan Cirillo in front of the national war memorial in Ottawa in October.
Seldom at a loss for words – Foxcroft can be more pensive and thoughtful than expected.
While supporting the troops in the regiment Foxcroft was also stick handling the problem the city was having with the reluctance the province was showing on coming through with an ODRAP (Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program) for the city to aid the flood victims.
Burlington had done everything it was required to do – but the province was reluctant to announce a program for the city – they had actually decided not to offer a program: – that’s when Foxcroft and others began to work the phones.
We’re #1 – don’t forget that.
The province eventually found a way to create an ODRAP program for Burlington – funds from that program have already begun to work their way into the hands of people whose homes were flooded.
Foxcroft headed up a campaign that raised just under $1 million in 100 days. There isn’t a bank in the country that didn’t experience the squeeze – well there was one – but let’s not embarrass them.
Then the media began to take a new interest in Foxcroft and his now world famous whistle. He made the New York Times as well as a decent feature on CBC.
On top of every possible market niche – the Foxcroft whistle is fashion conscious as well – pink whistles.
Foxcroft got to tell how many country he exports his famous whistle to – 140. He got to tell that his product is made in Canada and that he has expanded from being the Official whistle for several sports and has expanded his product line to include the outdoor market and personal safety.
What does a high school dropout do after that?
How about having tea with the Queen?
Foxcroft and his wife will be presented to Queen Elizabeth next May at a Buckingham Palace event.
The Foxcroft look – there are thousands of basketball players who will tell you just what it means.
Foxcroft is the Honorary Colonel of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, the Regiment Nathan Cirello belonged to when he was standing guard duty at the War Memorial in Ottawa.
Turns out the Queen is the Honorary Commanding Officer of the Regiment. Foxcroft will meet with the Queen to accept her official condolences on the death of a member of the Regiment.
The communication between the Foxcroft household and the officials at Buckingham Palace is, in Foxcroft’s words, – “different”.
Foxcroft deals with the Queen’s equiry – Foxcroft didn’t know what that meant – he will understand fully when he meets the man.
Before he can fly to London Foxcroft has to complete the work he does with the NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association. A former basketball referee, Foxcroft now serves as an advisor and prepares post game reports on how well the referees do their job. Foxcroft has been following the NCAA March Madness Final 4 – he gets to watch every game and prepares a report on how well the referees did. He calls this a job – which does on occasion keep him away from home. He missed spending Easter with his family.
Somewhere in that building Ron Foxcroft is settling in to take notes on referee performance during the game
Monday night he was preparing to oversee the Wisconsin Badgers play the Duke Blue Devils in Indianapolis – then the long drive home, probably memorizing what he will say to the Queen.
The man who is seldom at a loss for words might just pause as he is introduced to the Queen.
