It is with sadness, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Ralph passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on March 21, 2016.
Ralph will be lovingly missed by his wife Patricia of 59 years; his children Charles (Wanda), Ralph Jr. (Midori), Gerry (Irene), Linnea (Terry), Geof (Lea); his grandchildren Thomas, Melissa (Dylan), Jessica, Kristen, Blaise, Braeden, Catherine, Sonja, Erik, Baye; great grandchild Nash; and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his sister Hjordis Sanders of Winnipeg, her children Ralph, Pat, Larraine and sister Marion Bolin of Vancouver.
Ralph (Rolf) was born in Rennebu, Norway to Johan Ture and Sophie Lindberg. He immigrated to Canada with his parents at 1 ½ years old. Dad was raised in Port Arthur, Ontario. He graduated from high school then went to work in the mines of northern Ontario. Dad served in the navy during the Second World War. He met his loving wife, Pat, after the war in Schreiber, Ontario where they married on October 8, 1956. Dad and his friend Bill Louk opened L and L Meats in Terrace Bay where he was the co-owner and meat cutter. All five of their children were born in Terrace Bay, Ontario. In 1964, Dad moved the family out west to Duncan when he found a job at the Crofton Mill. He worked as a lead hand on the wrapping line until his retirement in 1984. In his retirement, Dad enjoyed reading, sitting in his back yard and walking to town where he would meet up with friends for coffee.
Ralph had a strong work ethic. Later, when he had children, he always told them that “if you are going to do a job, do it well.”
Dad once said he wanted to fly like an eagle when he was gone. “I will fly on the back of an eagle, on a warm and windy day. From a place quite high in the clear blue sky. And watch the sights below.” Nancy Telfer, 1992.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dan Philippson and the excellent Home Support and Palliative Nursing Service provided by the VIHA, for their support during his last weeks, which allowed Dad to die peacefully in his own home as per his wishes.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 9th, 2016, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at the Travelodge (Silver Bridge Inn), Duncan, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.