Ralph Donald Anderson, 1937-2004

Ralph Donald Anderson was born on April 5, 1937 to Ernie Anderson and Helen Belcourt. He passed away on Aug. 3, 2004, at the age of 67 years.

Ralph worked all kinds of jobs during his lifetime. He was a truck driver, he helped build the Grouard road by driving a buggie. He worked in an extra crew working for the railroad one summer. He was also a consultant for Dennis Cox. He was once a car salesman working for Bishop Motors. Ralph was also a relief cook for his father's mill. He was able to talk his way into a lot of jobs convincing people that he was capable of handling anything. You knew he always could.

Ralph met and married Lily Cunningham in 1956 and they lived in Grouard for a number of years. While living there he was instrumental in organizing the clean up of the graveyard. He also made the big white cross that still stands there today.

Ralph became an active member of the Gift Lake community when he moved the family there in the summer of 1969. He was a member of the Gift Lake council for approximately 18 years, some of that time he served as chairman. He organized the building and maintaining of the ball diamond and went into volunteering as an umpire for the baseball games. He was also active in other recreational activities including building the outdoor skating rink.

Ralph then went into business with Randy when they built and operated R&R Anderson Gas and Confectionary. Ralph enjoyed this very much as he was able to meet and visit with many people. Due to his health declining he went into early retirement. Ralph liked to play cards with poker being his favourite game. He liked watching hockey and went on a few hunting trips with David.

Ralph was a jokester and he loved telling funny stories. Ralph had many friends. He liked to talk on the phone; that's how he got the latest news and he passed it along. He seemed to know what was going on in the community all the time - even when he spent time at the Grey Nuns Hospital after his surgery and then at the Glenrose Rehab Centre. Ralph was always up on the latest. He loved to know what was going on in the world. He watched the news all the time and read newspapers.

Ralph was extremely proud of his grandchildren and loved them a great deal. He was always talking about them and would often repeat funny stories. He also loved spending time visiting and doing things with David. Ralph showed his son strong values and work ethics and the value of hard work and discipline. He was proud of Randy's successes.

He always wanted his children to succeed and was proud of their accomplishments.

Dad loved living in Gift Lake and he missed it a lot when he was unable to move back home after being released from Glenrose. While Dad was at the rehab centre he did very well walking with his prosthesis leg. He would use a walker or crutches during therapy. Dad lived at Pleasantview Lodge until his final stay at the hospital; his health was getting worse. He knew that his time was near and he said goodbye and he said he was ready to go.

Ralph leaves to mourn: his son, Randy, and his wife, Audrey; stepgrandchildren Danielle, Kody, Dale and Andrew; daughters Bonnie and Charmaine; Charmaine's husband David and his grandchildren Hayley, Shelby and Chase; siblings Pete (Violet), Christine (Jim), Floyd, Herbie, Ronnie (Sheila) and Melvin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ralph was predeceased by: his father, Ernie and mother, Helen; brothers Ernest Jr. and Joseph; sisters Bertha and Glenna.