1932 ~ 2017
With immeasurable grief, we announce Ralph’s passing on Friday, August 25, 2017 after a valiant battle against cancer.
Ralph leaves behind: his wife Phyllis; son Doug (Carole), grandson Derek (Tracy), great grandsons Ryese & Devin, granddaughter Cori (Adam); Daughter Diana (Rob), granddaughters Katie & Kelsey; daughter Debbie, grandsons Riley & Jesse (Stephanie), great grandsons Ted & Ben.
Cancer could not diminish dad’s sheer will to stay with us as long as possible. We are eternally grateful we all had the opportunity to tell him of our love, pride and admiration we felt for him before he joined his beloved family and friends in Heaven.
We are grateful to the many wonderful staff on the 4 & 5 floors of Victoria Hospital who provided Dad with the dignity, compassion and peace he so valued.
At Ralph’s request, there will be no funeral service and his family will honour him at a private graveside service.
Flowers gratefully declined, however, donations in his name may be directed to CancerCare or a charity of your choosing.
Death comes to let us know,
We love more deeply than we show,
But love in death should let us see,
What love in life should always be.
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Jen Dreger
Phyllis- So sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. We will miss our breakfasts together!
Our love and prayers go out to you. Wayne and Jen
Cori Toews
I want to remember my Grandpa for the man he was, not the illness that took him. We are blessed to have had him in our lives healthy and happy for so many years. Our family remembers him spending time in his garage woodworking and tinkering. There was always a project to be done (or made) and Grandpa would be the first to come over and help “the guys” on whatever had to be done. One of my fondest traits of my Grandpa that he certainly passed onto his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was his love and compassion for all animals. Animals brought him joy and comfort and he taught us that they all deserve a chance. Every pet in our family loved Grandpa and knew that he loved them back as much.
Grandpa also had quite the sense of humor and loved to joke with the grand kids as we grew. I don’t recall a Christmas that Rudolph hadn’t broken his leg, but somehow Santa still made it to Grandma and Grandpa’s! You could always count on Grandpa cheering you up if you needed it with some sort of teasing that was just what you needed.
Grandpa loved travelling and spending winters in Arizona. He would enjoy the woodworking shop down there and come home with stories to tell of his projects or the things he did while away. In his later years, his great grandsons Ryese and Devin brought him great joy. The honest and simple things in life were what he lived for and the biggest smiles and laughs came from those two boys who loved to play with Great Grandpa.
Grandpa, may you rest in peace and be free. Love always the Dreger’s (and Toews)
(Doug and Carolle, Derek, Tracy, Devin and Ryese and Cori and Adam)
Mildred & Wilf Betker
In our hearts Ralph shall be cherished, In our prayers he shall be uttered. During this time of grief and pain take comfort in knowing that we share your pain. A lifetime of friendship developed countless happy memories. There is always a rainbow after the rain, so is there happiness after pain. Phyllis, please be strong and never loose hope. Remember to call and we will come. Wilf and I express our deepest condolences to you, Phyllis, to your children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Ralph will rest in peace in the arms of the our Lord.
Frances Honke
Ralph was a special brother in law. I lived with them for my grade nine in Golden bay when Doug was just a little guy. My deepest sympathy to Phyl and all the family. He was just a great guy with a wonderful sense of humour.
Lucille Meisner
Dear Aunt Phyl and family, I am so very sorry for your loss . . . I have the fondest memories of Uncle Ralph . . . I was always excited to see you drive up to Grandma and Grandpa’s house . . . as neighbors it meant that, I too, got to visit with my cousins and my aunt and uncle. Uncle Ralph’s calm presence was always a bit of a mystery to me; like there was something rather magical about being around him. Many years later, as an adult, I realized why I liked how I felt when in his company . . . I think Uncle Ralph must have made every child feel like they mattered, that they were important purely because they existed. When we shared cake (and our love of sweet things) last fall at Albert’s service I once again, so many decades later, felt his genuine loving kindness and awakened heart . . . I am so glad we had a chance to talk a bit about life and the passing of time. What a lovely man he was . . . to me he embodied unconditional love . . . and there is no greater legacy. Aunt Phyl, Doug, Debbie, Diana and families – my wish is that time brings peace, grace brings healing and love brings comfort. Much love, Luci
Ginette Normandeau
With caring thoughts and deepest sympathy to you dear Phyllis and family.
More sympathy is with you now than words alone can tell.
For those who share your friend-ship,
Share your loss as well.
May the love of God,
Give you peace.
May the love of friends,
Give you comfort.
May the love of your dear one,
Remain in your heart and give you strenght through the days ahead.
We will cherish forever the friend-ship we have with you and Ralph.
True-friends memories were made to last forever.
Rest in Peace our dear friend Ralph.
With all our Love,
Louis and Ginette Normandeau