Ralph David Wye died at the West Parry Sound Health Centre, on Tuesday, November 15th, 2022. Age 94 years.

Beloved husband of the late Honery Wye (Collison). Dear father of Lockie and his wife Judi; Valerie Wye and her husband Al George; Frances and her husband Scott Price; and Janice Wye-Baker and her husband Al Baker. Loving Grandpa of Paul (Ruthann) and Lindsay (Ben); Whitney (Andrew) and Tyler (Meghan); and Alexander (Artemis) and Hilary (Mike). Great Grandpa of Quinn, Carmen, Kennedy, Davin, Ashton, and Torren. Dear brother of Clare, and the late Helen, Bill, and Beatrice. Fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Born and raised in Dunchurch, Ralph was wed to Honery and began married life in Toronto. Moving back north to Nobel, Ralph found himself repairing anything that needed it in the shop at CIL, where he began as an apprentice welder in 1949. It is hard to know if the man was suited to the job or the other way ‘round, but there was no doubt about the fact that anything with a mechanical malfunction stood no chance once he found out about it; a tool in his hands meant the problem would be fixed in no time. This never failed to capture the interest of the grandchildren, who were always in tow—sometimes literally, as he would pull them around the bush behind the snowmobile. A life built in and around Nobel meant service to the community, including being steward at Nobel United Church and maintaining the community’s water supply at the local pumphouse. It also meant motoring around the local waters of Georgian Bay at the helm of his cedar strip boat with his whole family on board. Come fall, Ralph would look forward to hunting season with the Dunchurch boys at the Staley Creek Hunt Club. We will all miss springtime in the sugar bush, hauling buckets of sap back to the shack and watching Ralph meticulously boil it down to sweet amber maple syrup. Later, in summer, he would dig new potatoes and carrots an hour before supper and have enough on the table for everyone to have their fill, and he was ever patient with the grandkids who had a slightly different method of picking raspberries (one for the tobacco can, two for the mouth). When Honery took ill and had to move to Lakeland, Ralph found that he could be involved by volunteering at the local café and was committed enough that he continued to do
so after she died.

A Memorial Visitation to celebrate Ralph’s life will take place at the Logan Funeral Home, 81 James Street, Parry Sound (746-5855), on Sunday, November 27th from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. A few memories will be shared at 3:00 P.M.

Interment Fairholme Cemetery, Dunchurch, in the spring.

Thank you to all the nurses and staff in Acute Care at the West Parry Sound Health Centre for their wonderful care, with a special thank you to Kelly in the Palliative Care Unit. The family would also like to thank all the staff at Serenity Seniors’ Residence, especially Krista and Crystal.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation (Palliative Care) would be appreciated.

Condolences

Fran and family. What a lovely tribute to your dad and the life he so richly lived. I’m sad for your loss. Our sincere condolences. Wendy and Dave

Sending love and thanks to know Ralph. Wonderful kind man. Funny how my daughter is with his grandson Tyler and he lived at Serenity… where I managed. His son in law played many times at Serenity. Love your band Harbour so much you played at my 50th birthday. You all were very lucky to have a wonderful dad grandpa husband and friend in your life ❤️. I’m glad I had a little part.

Sweet Ralph! I have many memories of fixing his computer, and then came the hair cuts during covid. Ralph was a sweet kind soul who gave the best hugs ever. My time at Serenity will always be cherished because I had the best residents. My condolences to Ralph’s family. Much love, Tammy

RALPH WAS A GREAT LIFETIME FRIEND WHO I HIGHLY RESPECTED AND WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM

My sympathies to Ralph’s family and friends. I was lucky to know him and his wife through Lakeland and glad my friend had kept me updated on Ralph after I moved away. He was a good man and volunteer and will be missed by many. Thanks for everything, Ralph.

My sincere condolences to the family. I have many fond memories of Ralph (and Lockie) at the Staley Creek Hunt Club and Ralph at CIL. (I still have an ice chisel he made for me at CIL in the early 70’s.) His passing is a lost to all who knew him.

I will never forget the years I cleaned for Ralph. We always had great conversations. He will be dearly missed ❤️

Grateful I had the opportunity to know Ralph, if even for a short time.
Condolences to the family at this time♥️

My condolences to the rest of the family, Uncle Ralph was an amazing spirit and I will always treasure my memories of him. Love and Hugs to you all

You have my deepest sympathy, sorry for your loss, I'm just glad I had the opportunity to get to know Ralph he was a wonderful man.

So sorry for your loss. My dad and Ralph were friends and partners working at CIL together for many years.