RALPH J. O'ROURKE -

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RALPH J. O'ROURKE 1924 - 2007 Ralph O'Rourke died peacefully as the sun was coming up on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at St. Boniface General Hospital. He spent the last three months of his life in hospital fighting courageously with his strong spirit to come home. We had so many great opportunities to share laughter, tears, memories and the time to each tell him how much he was loved, admired and respected. Dad was a wonderful story and joke teller and loved to laugh. He was an anchor of strength, gave wonderful hugs, and was always there to visit the sick or share sorrow at a funeral. He lived his life for his family and with a strong devotion to his faith. He demonstrated integrity in every aspect of his professional and personal life. He leaves to remember him with deepest abiding love, his child bride of almost 60 years, Carol; children, Terry, Colleen, Dan, Kellie and Patrick; daughters-in-law, Lynne, Gloria and Sandy, and soon to be son-in-law Ron Krahn; grandchildren, Shannon (Ian Williams), Reagan (Jon Saunders), Tammy, Brendan, and Emily; and great-grandchildren, Gavin and Liam Saunders. He was predeceased by his parents, Sam and Alice; his sister Rita; his son Michael, and daughter-in-law Diane. Ralph was born and educated in Montreal and he and his young bride and three eldest children moved to Winnipeg in 1956 to accommodate the travel required for his long career of over 48 years as a shoe manufacturers agent in the footwear industry. He was a founding member of the Winnipeg Shoe Travellers Association and was instrumental in forming the Shoe Travellers Association of Canada as its first President. Ralph was also a Life Member of the Canadian Professional Association of Canada. An avid sportsman, he was a Junior Hockey player in Montreal in his youth and a 40 year member of Southwood Golf and Country Club in Winnipeg. Ralph was a member of St. John Brebeuf Parish and past President of the School Board for St. John Brebeuf School. For many years he was active in the Retreat movement at Villa Maria Retreat House. For the last 10 years he was a member of Holy Rosary Parish where he continued his long history of providing Readings at Sunday Masses. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Montgomery, Dr. Thille, and the wonderful staff of 4E and physiotherapy and occupational therapy at St. Boniface General Hospital. He had such regard and gratitude for each of you and we will forever be indebted for your professional care and the personal concern and kindness shown to Dad. Funeral Mass and celebration of Ralph's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave. with Fr. Gerry Ward officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's name to Special Olympics would be gratefully appreciated. THOMSON IN THE PARK FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 MCGILLIVRAY BLVD. WWW.THOMSONINTHEPARK.COM 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2007