Ralph William Verge

(RCAF, THE RCR, RCOC, RCASC, CDN FORCES ADM BRANCH)

VERGE, Ralph William - LCol (CMRE) M.M.M. C.D. (Ret'd) - November 22, 1933 - March 10, 2021.

Dad has finally moved on to be with his two Shirleys. He will be missed here but welcomed there. This is his story.

Born in Halifax to the late Thomas Joseph and Elizabeth Olive (DeYoung), he is survived by four of his five sons, Michael (Wendy), Hong Kong: Bruce (Dawn), Hamilton; Tony (Lise), Ottawa; Gary (Kevin), Halifax; six grandkids, Bradley and Matthew (Karen), Ryan and John Michael (Peggy), Kyle (Debbie), Kimberly and Alexander (Wendy); great-grandkids, Tyler and Brianna (Brad), Aiden and Mattie-Shea (Matt/Shaila), Brady, Wyatt, Harper Elizabeth (Ryan), Lincoln (John Michael); stepdaughter, Darlene Richardson; step granddaughters, Renee Cornyn and Kirsten Richardson; step great-grandson, Joshua Richardson and step great-granddaughters, Abagail and Madeleine Cornyn.

He was predeceased by his two great loves, Betty (Parnell) in 1994 after 43 years together, and Shirley (Porter) in 2019 after 20 years together, and his youngest son, Timothy, in 2019.

He was the last of his siblings and will be joining Frederick (in infancy), Thomas "Bud", Edward, Robert "Bob", Gerald, Len, Douglas, Edna (Hobin), Rita (Higgins), and Dolly (Twohig).

He joined the Canadian Forces at he age of 16 years 4 months and served in the RCAF (known then as Canadian Army Regular Force) and served from 1950 to 1986 and then in the Supplementary Reserve and the Supplementary Ready Reserve until 1995.

Ralph was a twice wounded Infantry Veteran of the Korean War after which he transferred from the Infantry to the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps and then to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps but in his heart he was, and always will be, a proud member of The Royal Canadian Regiment (THE RCR).

Upon retirement he went to work, as a Commissionaire, for the Nova Scotia Division of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, where he worked for 12 years. He worked his way up to the appointment of Deputy Commandant and retired there as a LCol.

Ralph proudly wore on his LEFT chest, the following medals. The Order of Military Merit (M.M.M.), Korea Medal, Korea Volunteer Service Medal, Special Service Medal (NATO), Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean War Medal, United Nations Emergency Force Medal (Egypt), United Nations in Cyprus Medal, Canadian Centennial Medal, Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration with three clasps, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Long Service Medal, Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Distinguished Service Medal, Canadian Jump Wings with the white maple leaf and US Paratroopers Wings.

Ralph spent his life espousing that "John Q Public" should respect and, where possible, honour Veterans. Long before the Royal Canadian Legion coined the phrase "if you love your freedom, thank a veteran" he was stating the same thing.

In addition to all the military medals and para wings, he was also awarded the Canadian Forces Europe Commendation, the United States Army Sgt. Major of the Army Medallion (believed to be the only non US soldier so honoured), a Letter of Acknowledgement from the Korean Army signed by Major General Tae-Wan Chang for his "dedicated contributions", a Certificate "In Honour of Ralph W. Verge" from the Canadian House of Commons, signed by Geoff Regan MP. Ralph was the first non US serviceman to become President of the Heidelberg Sgts. Major Association. He was President of Korea Veterans Association of Canada Inc Nova Scotia Unit 45, a Life Member of KVA (Atlantic), President of the RCASC Association (Atlantic), a member of the Canadian Airborne Forces Association, President of the N.S. Unit of the RCR Association.

Ralph was a 32-degree Mason and a past member of Athole Lodge AF&AM and a member to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Calais Branch 162 and a long-time Retired Life Member of the CFB Halifax Chiefs', POs', WOs' AND SGTs' Mess, the spot he loved most of all and supported beyond belief.

Ralph's Favorite Poem was "A SOLDIER DIED TODAY" and for those of us who knew him........ A SOLDIER'S SOLDIER DIED TODAY. R.I.P.

Cremation will take place with burial in the Columnbarium at Fairview Cemetery. Please contact J. A. Snow's Funeral Home 902-455-0531 to register for the service on March 20, 2021 at 11AM.

Online condolences may be left at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com