Ralph WOTTON

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WOTTON: Ralph Wotton, age 87 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 22, 2015 at the Assiniboine Centre, surrounded by his family. Ralph was born on January 4, 1928 on his family farm in Glenboro, Manitoba. His childhood years were spent on the farm with his parents, Ernest and Florence Wotton; his two sisters Mabel and Nellie, and his brother George. He often told stories of the hardships living on the farm during the Great Depression and “Dirty 30’s”, but also recalled the memories of listening to the family radio or the conversations on the “party-line” phone. The family relocated to Brandon in 1935, first living on 20th Street, where he attended Fleming School for two years, before moving to 454 5th Street. He finished his schooling at Central School, Earl Haig and Brandon Collegiate Institute. It was also on 5th Street that he became friends with the Scott family children, including Irene, who went from childhood friend to lifelong soul mate and loving wife of 66 years. Ralph and Irene were married on November 19, 1949. Ralph’s early employment included working for the Bank of Montreal and Scott National, before finding his career with Melco Electric in 1949, which later became Federal Pioneer. He remained there until his retirement in August 1987. Work was never his main focus in life, it was his family. Winters were spent playing on the homemade rink in the backyard, or coaching and planning activities at Central Community Center. Summers meant family adventures camping and tenting, or renting a cottage at Sandy Lake, and later, travelling across the prairies in the trailer he designed and built. Later, when it was just Irene and him, they travelled in the 1974 van that he converted into a fully-equipped motor home. They enjoyed many long vacations to the mountains and west coast, the maritime provinces, or south to the badlands. Ralph enjoyed his retirement years working in his garden during the summer months, where he grew the best carrots and tomatoes, and in the colder months working in his woodshop. He loved working with wood, creating treasures with his lathe and fret saw. We all looked forward to Christmas when we would receive a gift designed and created with love by him. He enjoyed painting, listening to music, and playing various instruments he taught himself to play. He also enjoyed quiet times sitting in the veranda or in the backyard flower garden. Family pets were always a great part of his life, with many dogs to take on walks in the city or out to the country to run. He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Irene; his five children DuWayne (Nona), Karen, Brian, Brenda (Mark) and Val (Dan); eight grandchildren Lynne, Audrey, Jenn, Cory, Tami (Taso), Tara (Zach), Nicole and Janelle, and ten great-grandchildren Julian, Isabella, Thomas, Scott, Sean, Marlee, Myles, Louis, Lennon and Andreus. He will also be remembered by Irene’s brothers Jim (Liz) and Mo (Liz) and their families, by other members of Irene’s family, and by his family members in England. He was pre-deceased by his parents, brother, sisters, as well as brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law. Ralph’s life will be celebrated in a private family service at the Brandon Cemetery, as per his wishes. Flowers are gratefully declined. A donation in memory of Ralph may be made to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 27, 2015