RALPH WILLIAM JAFFRAY

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RALPH WILLIAM JAFFRAY Ralph Jaffray of Brandon passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Brandon Regional Hospital on Tuesday, October 30, 2007. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Marie Emilie (nee Canart), and all of his ten children, Betty (Dan) Getson, Lucille Sinclair, Ann (Bruce) Burton, Heather (Brian) Musselwhite, Cathy (Sam) McTavish, Ralph (Mariana) Jaffray Jr., Charlotte (Paul) Wolfenburg, Robert (Jodi) Jaffray, David (Stasia) Jaffray and Raymond (Tracy) Jaffray. He is also survived by 36 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Ralph was born on the family home at Kirkella, Manitoba on February 8, 1919, the second son of William and Ada Jaffray. Known for his curly blond hair and the twinkle in his eye Ralph attended Kirkella School, and worked the family farm through the Great Depression. At the age of 21 joined the 2nd Battalion Winnipeg Grenadiers, later joining the Royal Canadian Airforce, training to become an airframe mechanic in St. Thomas, Ontario. In 1944 while on leave he married Marie Emilie Canart in Dauphin, Manitoba. After the War Ralph maintained his links with the military by becoming a trained militiaman with the 12th Manitoba Dragoons. Farming and agriculture were always Ralph's greatest interest. He farmed first in Kirkella district before moving to Basswood, then shortly afterward moved into the town of Minnedosa. Soon he returned to agriculture with Bar-5 Simmental Breeders at Douglas, and for a few years lived in Georgetown, Ontario before moving to Alberta in 1977. Eventually he returned to his roots in Manitoba to retire, but maintained his connection to farming by working his childhood farm in Kirkella. Ralph was dedicated to his faith and spent endless hours in service to the Roman Catholic Church. Wherever he lived he gave his time to maintaining and beautifying The Lord's House painting, building, restoring. Most recently he helped restore the roof of St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church in Brandon. Prayers were held at St. Augustine's Church on Friday, November 2, 2007 and the Funeral service was held Saturday, November 3. Interment followed at Rosewood Cemetery. Donations can be made in Ralph's name to St. Augustine's building fund, or for identified for World Peace and Development. A beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, and so much more, he will be deeply missed.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2007