Remembering Ron
Thanks to our generous community, we have seen many wonderful events supporting the Niagara Health Foundation over the years: lemonade stands, golf tournaments, comedy nights. But when we heard that someone was planning a “Rib Sauce Fundraiser” in support of the Walker Family Cancer Centre, it was a first. The fundraising event, hosted by one of Welland’s favourite spots, M.T. Bellies, was put on in memory of the late Ron Levinski – a loving family man, a good friend to so many and, of course, a Master Sauce Maker.
Uncle Raw Knee’s BBQ Sauce
Rebecca Clark, Ron & Kathy, John Clark
“My husband Ron met the owner, John Clark, over 30 years ago,” we learn from Ron’s wife, Kathy, “before he opened M.T. Bellies. They were both golfers; that’s how they met.” Ron, who loved to cook in his free time, was thrilled that John was about to open a restaurant. “Ron was very excited for him and supportive,” says Kathy. When Ron learned that John was still missing the perfect rib sauce, he decided to share his very own top-secret recipe with him. “Ron went into the restaurant and made it before they opened,” Kathy remembers. “John loved it and that is how it all started.”
The rest is history. “Uncle Raw Knees” BBQ sauce soon became a staple at M.T. Bellies and remains on the menu today. “My husband got a lot of mileage out of it,” Kathy laughs and explains that he would often ask new staff: “Do you know who I am?” and then go on to explain to them that he is not just any patron but the one and only creator of their famous BBQ sauce.
Ron’s Diagnosis
In 2020, just before the pandemic reached Canada, Ron started having symptoms that worried him. “My husband had an immune disorder for which he received monthly treatment in Hamilton for the past 20 years,” says Kathy. When Ron was first diagnosed, the specialist at the time told him that he was quite likely going to get lymphoma at some point, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and, in 2020, he did.
“We started his chemotherapy at the Juravinski, but then we shifted over to the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC),” says Kathy, who was grateful for the smooth transition from one hospital system to the other. “The doctors talked to each other and worked together to coordinate Ron’s treatments and care.”
Ron had to come to the WFCC once a month for chemotherapy. “COVID made everything more challenging. For us, for the healthcare workers. I wasn’t able to go in with him for his treatments.” The WFCC team did what they could to be there for Ron when his family wasn’t able to, due to the restrictions at the time.
“The staff made such a difference in our lives. That is why I wanted to share our story. I want our healthcare workers here in Niagara to know that how they treated us was appreciated. Just the small things made our lives better. If you smiled, said hello, asked how we were doing; when you treated us with patience on those days when we didn’t have it – it meant a lot.”
While chemotherapy provided some relief for Ron, he never fully recovered, and he continued to face health issues and required further surgery. There are no words for what Ron and his family went through during these months and years of trying to find answers, navigating his treatments and his struggling immune system, all while dealing with a global pandemic.
Soon after Ron came home following his last surgery, he passed away on June 19, 2023, at the age of 73.
On the very same day, M.T. Bellies published their new menu for the summer. It brought back an item that hadn’t been on the menu in months: Uncle Raw Knees Ribs.
Giving back to the Walker Family Cancer Centre
Ron’s wish to encourage memorial donations be made to Port Colborne Community Living or the WFCC after he passed away, gave John the idea of hosting the Rib Sauce Fundraiser. For the month of July, 2023, M.T. Bellies donated $10 for every full rack of ribs purchased to the two charities, raising an incredible $1,000 for each charity.
Combined with the many generous donations made in Ron’s memory, more than $2,500 has been raised for the WFCC. “Ron spent a lot of time there,” Kathy says about his wish for donations to go towards the WFCC. “It’s local and Ron wanted any funds to be kept locally. Dr. Qawi was wonderful with Ron, tirelessly looked for things for him — for tests, for answers. She was an incredible advocate for him.”
During this very hard time, Ron was grateful for the WFCC team. “The staff were excellent,” remembers Kathy. “Everyone was very kind, even though you could tell they were always so busy. They did whatever they could to support us.”
Kathy deeply appreciates everyone at Niagara Health who treated Ron and his family with care and consideration. She adds that the last few years have shown her the importance of having as many healthcare options as possible close to home.
“The quality of care you get here is as good as in Hamilton. That is one thing I want people to know.” She saw first-hand how caring the staff at our local hospitals are – through the team at the WFCC, the palliative care team – and how much more is needed. “I would love it if there was more equipment so that people could get tested quicker. The waiting – waiting for tests and results and appointments – is one of the most difficult parts of being sick. It’s very stressful and it is hard on families.”
Kathy is finding some comfort in knowing that the donations made in Ron’s memory will make a difference at the WFCC. “I hope that it helps some families or improves something for the staff, and I hope that beyond the money, it also raises awareness.”
“We need to support our healthcare workers, and we need more of them. We depend on them. I appreciate how they treated us, and I think that as a community, we all need to do what we can to support their work. Whether it is a run for charity or asking for donations in memory of a loved one – it helps.”
Honouring Ron’s Legacy
Thanks to the many generous donations to the Niagara Health Foundation, including the gifts received in Ron’s memory, the WFCC has been able to purchase new equipment since his passing, including a new chemotherapy chair as well as a linear accelerator, which is used for radiation treatment.
We extend our deepest gratitude to John for hosting this fundraiser as a tribute to Ron and to everyone who donated in his memory.
We thank Kathy for sharing her story and we thank Ron himself, who, during a sad and painful time, chose kindness and gratitude by ensuring the WFCC would receive donations after he was gone.
“We recently lost Uncle Ronnie in a battle he could not win. His spirit and legacy live on through his loving wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandkids, and friends. And the award-winning M.T. Bellies Uncle Raw Knee’s sauce.” – John Clark, July 2023
Remembering Ron
Thanks to our generous community, we have seen many wonderful events supporting the Niagara Health Foundation over the years: lemonade stands, golf tournaments, comedy nights. But when we heard that someone was planning a “Rib Sauce Fundraiser” in support of the Walker Family Cancer Centre, it was a first. The fundraising event, hosted by one of Welland’s favourite spots, M.T. Bellies, was put on in memory of the late Ron Levinski – a loving family man, a good friend to so many and, of course, a Master Sauce Maker.
Uncle Raw Knee’s BBQ Sauce
Rebecca Clark, Ron & Kathy, John Clark
“My husband Ron met the owner, John Clark, over 30 years ago,” we learn from Ron’s wife, Kathy, “before he opened M.T. Bellies. They were both golfers; that’s how they met.” Ron, who loved to cook in his free time, was thrilled that John was about to open a restaurant. “Ron was very excited for him and supportive,” says Kathy. When Ron learned that John was still missing the perfect rib sauce, he decided to share his very own top-secret recipe with him. “Ron went into the restaurant and made it before they opened,” Kathy remembers. “John loved it and that is how it all started.”
The rest is history. “Uncle Raw Knees” BBQ sauce soon became a staple at M.T. Bellies and remains on the menu today. “My husband got a lot of mileage out of it,” Kathy laughs and explains that he would often ask new staff: “Do you know who I am?” and then go on to explain to them that he is not just any patron but the one and only creator of their famous BBQ sauce.
Ron’s Diagnosis
In 2020, just before the pandemic reached Canada, Ron started having symptoms that worried him. “My husband had an immune disorder for which he received monthly treatment in Hamilton for the past 20 years,” says Kathy. When Ron was first diagnosed, the specialist at the time told him that he was quite likely going to get lymphoma at some point, a cancer of the lymphatic system, and, in 2020, he did.
“We started his chemotherapy at the Juravinski, but then we shifted over to the Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC),” says Kathy, who was grateful for the smooth transition from one hospital system to the other. “The doctors talked to each other and worked together to coordinate Ron’s treatments and care.”
Ron had to come to the WFCC once a month for chemotherapy. “COVID made everything more challenging. For us, for the healthcare workers. I wasn’t able to go in with him for his treatments.” The WFCC team did what they could to be there for Ron when his family wasn’t able to, due to the restrictions at the time.
“The staff made such a difference in our lives. That is why I wanted to share our story. I want our healthcare workers here in Niagara to know that how they treated us was appreciated. Just the small things made our lives better. If you smiled, said hello, asked how we were doing; when you treated us with patience on those days when we didn’t have it – it meant a lot.”
While chemotherapy provided some relief for Ron, he never fully recovered, and he continued to face health issues and required further surgery. There are no words for what Ron and his family went through during these months and years of trying to find answers, navigating his treatments and his struggling immune system, all while dealing with a global pandemic.
Soon after Ron came home following his last surgery, he passed away on June 19, 2023, at the age of 73.
On the very same day, M.T. Bellies published their new menu for the summer. It brought back an item that hadn’t been on the menu in months: Uncle Raw Knees Ribs.
Giving back to the Walker Family Cancer Centre
Ron’s wish to encourage memorial donations be made to Port Colborne Community Living or the WFCC after he passed away, gave John the idea of hosting the Rib Sauce Fundraiser. For the month of July, 2023, M.T. Bellies donated $10 for every full rack of ribs purchased to the two charities, raising an incredible $1,000 for each charity.
Combined with the many generous donations made in Ron’s memory, more than $2,500 has been raised for the WFCC. “Ron spent a lot of time there,” Kathy says about his wish for donations to go towards the WFCC. “It’s local and Ron wanted any funds to be kept locally. Dr. Qawi was wonderful with Ron, tirelessly looked for things for him — for tests, for answers. She was an incredible advocate for him.”
During this very hard time, Ron was grateful for the WFCC team. “The staff were excellent,” remembers Kathy. “Everyone was very kind, even though you could tell they were always so busy. They did whatever they could to support us.”
Kathy deeply appreciates everyone at Niagara Health who treated Ron and his family with care and consideration. She adds that the last few years have shown her the importance of having as many healthcare options as possible close to home.
“The quality of care you get here is as good as in Hamilton. That is one thing I want people to know.” She saw first-hand how caring the staff at our local hospitals are – through the team at the WFCC, the palliative care team – and how much more is needed. “I would love it if there was more equipment so that people could get tested quicker. The waiting – waiting for tests and results and appointments – is one of the most difficult parts of being sick. It’s very stressful and it is hard on families.”
Kathy is finding some comfort in knowing that the donations made in Ron’s memory will make a difference at the WFCC. “I hope that it helps some families or improves something for the staff, and I hope that beyond the money, it also raises awareness.”
“We need to support our healthcare workers, and we need more of them. We depend on them. I appreciate how they treated us, and I think that as a community, we all need to do what we can to support their work. Whether it is a run for charity or asking for donations in memory of a loved one – it helps.”
Honouring Ron’s Legacy
Thanks to the many generous donations to the Niagara Health Foundation, including the gifts received in Ron’s memory, the WFCC has been able to purchase new equipment since his passing, including a new chemotherapy chair as well as a linear accelerator, which is used for radiation treatment.
We extend our deepest gratitude to John for hosting this fundraiser as a tribute to Ron and to everyone who donated in his memory.
We thank Kathy for sharing her story and we thank Ron himself, who, during a sad and painful time, chose kindness and gratitude by ensuring the WFCC would receive donations after he was gone.
“We recently lost Uncle Ronnie in a battle he could not win. His spirit and legacy live on through his loving wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandkids, and friends. And the award-winning M.T. Bellies Uncle Raw Knee’s sauce.” – John Clark, July 2023
