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RALPH BIRCH
Born: Oct 27, 1928
Date of Passing: Apr 06, 2007
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RALPH BIRCH October 27, 1928 April 6, 2007 With great love and appreciation we are honoured to celebrate the life of Ralph Birch. On Friday, April 6, 2007, Ralph passed away at the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care Unit at the age of 78. Ralph will be lovingly remembered by his wife Irene and his sons, Michael and Richard. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law, Marjorie (Michael) and Virginia (Richard); as well as his grandchildren, Kyle, Carley, Jordan, Dillon, Leah, Tonya and Cody (Tornado). He is also survived by his brother Tony Birch (Jean) of Victoria, BC and sister Patricia Adams (Roger) of Hove, Sussex, England. He will also be missed by his dog and companion Johnny Birch. Ralph was born on October 27, 1928 in England to Audrey Cybil Rudyard Jackson and James Harrison Birch. Ralph lived in the Island Lake region for 45 years and always said I haven't quite unpacked my bags. I'm just passing through . He spent many years flying the people of the North. Ralph had an infinite love of the sky and a reputation as one of the best pilots in the North. On more than one occasion he had to put the plane down because of engine failure. It was a point of pride with Ralph that he never lost a passenger in any of these events. The Legend of Oo-chi-cha-pi-chi-kay as he was known by most of the people of the Island Lake Area, will live on for many years. Ralph was a man who always spoke his mind peppered with moments of eloquence and pride while still maintaining his dignity. Ralph had a soft spot for all of his grandchildren and loved them dearly. Ralph and his family would like to thank Dr. Czaikowski and Denise Klassen of CancerCare as well as Dr. Garcia and the Nurses of the Palliative Care Unit at St. Boniface Hospital for all of the tender care and support over the last 3 months. The family would also like to thank Ralph's numerous friends who visited and supported him during his stay in Winnipeg. A Celebration of Ralph's life will take place at the Voyage Funeral Home, 220 Hespeler in Winnipeg on Tuesday, April 10, 2007. Viewing will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a Service from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba.
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 10, 2007
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Ralph was an adventurist and a colourful character who was full of life and fun to work with. I enjoyed many of his tales of adventure in South America as well as his episodes of near death encounters, one of which he told of his aircraft engine freezing up on him during a winter flight north west of Baker Lake, NWT. His resilience and ability to navigate with the stars was what ultimately saved his life at that time. When I worked with Ralph from Island Lk., he was flying a Beech 18 and I was flying a Piper Aztec. Ralph is one of those people one doesn't soon forget. He was also what I consider to be one of Canada's aviation pioneers that helped the early settlements in Canada's far north. He will be missed, greatly. - Posted by: Michael LaRiviere (Fellow Bush Pilot who worked at the same company during 1974 and 1975 at Garden Hill, Manitoba.) on: Feb 04, 2021