RALPH EUGENE MILANI

Condolences & Memories (26 entries)

• Sorry to hear about Ralph passing so young. I got to know Ralph when I played at the Mustangs. Although I was a little younger Ralph was a friendly giant as I saw him. He was part of that great offensive line the Mustangs had. Got to know Ralph much better at the good old Fit Stop on Provencher and had many a good laugh in the gym. Great guy. To Steve, Bob and all the family my condolences and best wishes. - Posted by: Howard Kitchen (friend) on: Jun 01, 2020

• So sad, saw Ralph at the last WPC reunion, he gave me a big bear hug and we chatted non-stop for an hour. I went to sea cadets with Ralph back in the day, remember playing street hockey a few times. Loved that guy I don't think he had a mean bone in his body. Best wishes to Ralph's family. I left Manitoba in 1980 so last time I bumped into Ralph before I left he had not started his family yet. I am happy to see that Ralph looks to have lived a very rich life. - Posted by: Bob Muir (Friend) on: May 12, 2020

• To the Milani Families, Marylouise and Bob we are so sorry to hear about Ralph! Your family was the very best of neighbours to my mom when you all lived on Westmount Drive. My mom always spoke so highly of your entire family. Ralph will be missed as I’m sure he made a huge contribution to the community. Love from the Gagnons and the Warrens - Posted by: Chris & Greg Gagnon (and the Warren Family) (Family friends (neighbours on Westmount Drive)) on: Mar 29, 2020

• My condolences to Ralph’s family. I worked with him at Shaftesbury High School several years ago. - Posted by: Lois Mallet (Friend) on: Mar 29, 2020

• Mr Milani was a defining part of my eighth grade year. He was a great mentor and always pushed us to be our best. When he made mistakes, even as a teacher, he was open to listening and becoming better himself which is something we don’t see a lot of in the world these days. He had an intellectual curiosity and appreciated the same in others; while teachers are all amazing for doing the job that they do, it can be hard to harness that intellectual curiosity when you teach the same courses to middle schoolers year after year. However, Mr Milani managed to have this intellectual curiosity. He was a quiet and reserved man, yet at the same time he would love to talk if you asked him questions. Writing this makes me remember the small things like how he would be generous with extra time on tests , staying after school, even on a Friday. He dealt with middle school students, which is not an easy age group to teach, and he taught this group for many years which shows a tenacity and drive. One last little anecdote — I remember coming in to see my final exam, and not doing as well as I would have liked. Mr Milani was disappointed, but not in a mean way; he was disappointed because he cared enough, and his care really struck me. He consoles me and then said something along the lines of “a duck needs to learn to roll water off its back”. This is a really powerful sentiment, one that I have taken with me far beyond that class. Even after all these years, I remember his class and his lessons, coincidently thinking about him earlier today before hearing this news. It comes as a complete shock and fills me with a lot of sadness. My condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Student ‘14 (Student ) on: Mar 21, 2020

• Mr.Milani taught me in school. Westdale. I remember his classes better than others. Mainly because he was always throwing a chalk board eraser at me haha. Or a pen. He was an awesome teacher. I remember he threw a chair once in class. He always tried his hardest to make sure we payed attention and listened. Sure his methode was to scare us into it, but hey, it somehow worked on me and I managed to pass. Im glad I had the chance to have him as a grade 7-9 teacher back then. Thanks for the teaching Mr.Milani. You will be very missed. - Posted by: Ciara (Student) on: Mar 19, 2020

• I was very saddened to hear about Ralph’s passing. He was such a good friend on the ski hill. Even though I haven’t seen him recently, I think of him often when I am skiing or enjoying a corona. May the love of family and friends see you through this difficult time. My thoughts are with you All of you. Sincerely Kathy Northcott - Posted by: Kathy Northcott (Team Corona) on: Mar 17, 2020

• Ralph was a long term member of the Manitoba Masters Ski Club. I remember his enthusiasm for the sport and the social aspect of the club. He did a great deal of volunteer work on events at the Ditch and at the out-of-town venues. His good humour and willingness to pitch in will be remembered by many of the old guard. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. - Posted by: Wayne Ferguson (Member Manitoba Masters) on: Mar 15, 2020

• My thoughts & prayers are with his family. My sincere condolences. - Posted by: Stephanie Butler (Friend) on: Mar 02, 2020

• My deepest and most sincere condolences on the most profound loss of an incredible father, husband, teacher and coworker. He was passionate about so many things but nothing more than his beautiful family. Janine, Nicole and Michael. May you find comfort in this loss knowing how much Ralph was cherished, respected and admired. Those of us at Byng will never forget the twinkle in his eyes when he found a good book he wanted to share, when he was talking about how incredible the students at Byng were this year (each year) or when he spoke of his beloved family. Our hearts are with you all. - Posted by: Evelina Pescitellu (Coworker) on: Feb 28, 2020

• Sondra and I were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the untimely death of Ralph earlier this month. I last spoke with Ralph by phone almost one year ago when I expressed condolences on our behalf for the death of his father, Eugene. I'm pleased to have been able to touch base with him at that time because he updated me on his status, that of his family and my many Milani cousins. He spoke with great affection and pride about his family and especially Michael's past accomplishments and his forthcomming competitions. During our years in Winnipeg Julia, Eugene and the entire Milani clan often invited our family to their functions which we fondly remember and much appreciate. In addition our family and Ralph's occasionally exchanged visits and I would also often unexpectedly run into him in Home Depot where he would enthusiastically describe yet another project he had undertaken. Seemingly, none was ever too challanging to tackle. To Gislaine and the children, Julia and all the Milani cousins we offer our sincerest condolences. Ralph will be always be fondly remembered and not soon forgotten by us. Ed and Sondra Bruni - Posted by: Ed and Sondra Bruni (Cousin) on: Feb 28, 2020

• I am so sorry for your loss Janine. My thoughts are with you and I hope you and your family are doing OK considering the circumstances. I truly hope that you have been able to share and hear lots of great stories about your husband with your family over the last few weeks and that these shared stories give you a little comfort during a tough time. - Posted by: Adam Calvez (Co-worker) on: Feb 26, 2020

• Mr. Milani was our Grade 9 math and science teacher, and my home room teacher back at General Byng School. He was also our badminton coach/teacher during lunch hours. He was a very kind person, and taught his lessons very precise, and very well. He’s a relatively quiet person, but easily approached. You can have any type of conversation with him, and he will have his own story about it to share with you. He gave me lots of great math advices/help during our year, and they have helped me a lot, even till now. I was very shocked and saddened, when I was given the news about his unexpected, and unfortunate passing from one of my friends the day after he passed. Myself, along with my other friends who Mr. Milani have also taught back in General Byng School, we extend our deepest of prayers, and condolences to his family and close friends. Thank you, Mr. Milani. Rest In Peace. - Posted by: Student ‘18 (Student ) on: Feb 25, 2020

• My sincerest condolences. Ralph was one of the good guys. Always smiling and always had a good word to say. We have crossed paths over the years since WPC and when we did memories flowed and conversation was easy. He was so proud of his family. Rest easy Ralph. - Posted by: Allan Beaudry (Friend) on: Feb 24, 2020

• My wife Cindy and I are both very saddened by the loss of Ralph and send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. We first met Ralph through our friendship with his sister and brother-in-law Clara and John Fjeldsted. We enjoyed a trip together to watch Ralph play football at Moorhead State University and enjoyed celebrating their win at the famous local peanut bar! When I took the head coach position at Grant Park High School in 1981, I asked Ralph to be my assistant. He was instrumental in the success of the team becoming a league contender. He related well to the players and was highly respected by all. We enjoyed our talks with Ralph at the Fjeldsted's family events. We have known him to be an excellent family man and educator and a caring person who will be missed by so many. Tim and Cindy Raxter - Posted by: Tim Raxter (Friend) on: Feb 23, 2020

• Mr. Milani was my teacher. He was one that tested and broke the fallacies of what a teacher was meant to be. In my opinion “teacher” is a title rather detractive, and depreciates what he accomplished in a job sparse of opportunity. I will always carry with me the way his face lit up when a student of his understood a topic they had been struggling with, this alone is proof that Ralph Milani truly cared about his students learning. His goal was to open up a world for us to have at our will. He wanted us to not only understand the beautiful concepts that make up our world, but how to survive in it; from car payments to legal requirements, if the world of a student is an oyster, than he had passionately handed us the fork. This great man decisively dedicated a sorely unappreciated amount of effort into each and every person he taught. If that doesn’t constitute a good person, I don’t know what does. In conclusion, I would like to give my best wishes, and deepest condolences to the family of Ralph Milani, and leave you with my favourite thing he has ever said to me. “Well that’s all life really is! A bunch of little coincidences, and a whole lot of good mistakes.” - Posted by: Lyrin Morissette-Cooper (Student ) on: Feb 23, 2020

• I will remember the mischievous twinkle in Ralph’s eyes, the ready smile, the kindness, compassion and dedication to student success that Ralph brought to school every day. He was an enthusiastic leader, with an ever positive attitude. Thank you for brightening our days Ralph. - Posted by: Kenn Burgess (Colleague ) on: Feb 22, 2020

• Debbie, Steve and all of your Milani family. I was saddened to read in WFP that your brother Ralph died. He touched so many people in his years and I know that he will be missed. Thinking of you lots at this difficult time and sending hugs. Colleen - Posted by: Colleen Olafson (Colleague of Debbie) on: Feb 22, 2020

• We're so sorry for your loss Matante Janine, Michael, and Nicole. I never got a chance to tell him but as a father myself I had great respect and admiration for Uncle Ralph and how involved he was in his children's lives. He really was the type of father we all hope to become. Our deepest sympathies. - Posted by: Paul & Sarah Beaudry (Nephew) on: Feb 22, 2020

• I played football with Ralph with the St. Vital Mustangs in 1974. Good player & good guy! My thoughts & prayers are with his family. - Posted by: Craig Smith (Played football with Ralph) on: Feb 22, 2020

• So sorry to hear of Ralph's passing. My condolences to the entire Milani family. - Posted by: Donna Beauchamp (Brother's sister in law) on: Feb 22, 2020

• Our sincere condolences to Debbie and all her family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Donna & Glen Burke (Friends of Debbie & Steve) on: Feb 22, 2020

• Bob, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. - Posted by: Dena Fabian (Former coworker ) on: Feb 22, 2020

• Our sincere condolences to the family. We did not know Ralph well but always enjoyed talking to him at the home that our sons share. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you - Posted by: Jim and Pat Burns (Friends) on: Feb 22, 2020

• Ralph was a colleague at Linden Meadows School. Since hearing this very sad news I keep thinking “such a nice man” . Your loss is great. My sincere sympathy. Sharon Jasper - Posted by: Sharon Jasper (Colleague) on: Feb 22, 2020

• I met Michael when he started at Windsor Park in Co-op Education. He was very intelligent and a great Artist! He excelled at detailed drawings. Michael drew a sketch of his house, he missed his bus and I gave him a ride home, the sketch was so detailed and precise I got him home safe. It was like looking at a photograph! My sincere condolences to his family! Mr. Ken Kowaluk - Posted by: Ken Kowaluk (Educational Assistant at Windsor Park) on: Feb 22, 2020