George Ronald ‘Ron’ Smith
Well-liked Lapta ex-pat buried – aged 69.
By Keith Lloyd….
Following a year-long struggle with illness, Ron Smith finally succumbed to disease recently and was buried at the Lapta International Cemetery on a chilly blustery morning on Tuesday 6th January 2014.
Around 30 people braved the severe wintry conditions, during a moving humanist ceremony, to pay their last respects and express their goodbyes to this popular Lapta 
‘character, who had moved to the area upon his retirement in 2006/7.
Originally from Belfast in Northern Ireland, Ron had settled with his family in the Bromley area of Kent in the UK. Prior to his retirement, Ron had spent his entire career as a Civil Servant with the Ministry of Defence, where he had the opportunity to travel extensively on various missions.
He leaves a son Joe and former wife Kay, both of whom were present at the funeral.
During the Ceremony tribute was paid to the Cancer Charity ‘Tulips’ which had supported Ron and his family during his prolonged illness.
Following Ron’s final committal, during which many of those present joined in – ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ – the funeral party repaired to Lapta’s Rose Garden Resort for a warming tipple and a buffet luncheon. ‘Rose Gardens Ron’s’ stool at the corner of the bar was left vacant!
