Ralph Herbert Harley

Ralph Herbert Harley died at home in Thornhill, Ontario, on the morning of his one hundred second birthday after a brief illness. He was in his comfortable chair getting a shave from his oldest son, Peter, when he stopped breathing. His family was gathered around him for his birthday. Ralph was born, August 20, 1915, Woodstock, NB, the son of Velma Fern, née McBride, and Bentley George Harley. He is survived by his seven children: Peter Harley (Carolyn) of Portugal Cove, NL; Sandra Whitmore (David), Libertyville, IL.; Susan Rees (Lem), Grand Ridge, IL.; Eric Harley (Ewa), Thornhill, ON; Calvin Harley (Deborah), Ganns Meadow, CA; Bonnie Crowther (Dave), Edmonton, AB; and Robin Harley (Deb), Warkworth, ON; 21 grandchildren coast-to-coast and 27 great-grandchildren; his sister Leona Avery, Woodstock, NB, as well as four nieces and four nephews. He was predeceased by his spouse, Mabel Elma Harley, née Gartley, his brother, Harold Harley and his sister, Lillian Clark.

An alum of the University of New Brunswick, Ralph was a teacher in New Brunswick and then worked as a meteorologist from 1940 to 1975 for the Canada Department of Transport. He started as a civil servant during World War II in Ecum Secum, NS, where he built and operated a weather station as part of the war effort to protect the coastline. He continued to work for the weather service in Ottawa, ON and in Illinois as an instructor at DEW-Line (Distant Early Warning) Training Centers. He retired in Toronto after editing the first edition of the “Manual of Surface Weather Observations” (MANOBS). He was an accomplished curler and an avid golfer to the age of 94, setting course records and winning amateur titles in golf and curling. His considerable woodworking skills are in evidence in the homes of his children, grandchildren and friends. He planted gardens and fruit trees wherever he lived and inspired the love of nature and gardening in the lives of many.

A celebration of the life of Ralph Harley will be held in the summer of 2018 when his large and widespread family will gather in Woodstock, NB. His ashes will be interred at Richmond Corner, NB, beside those of his beloved wife, Mabel, in the churchyard of St. John’s Anglican Church where they were married.

Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to Ovarian Cancer Canada, 205-145 Front St. East, Toronto, Ontario M5A-1E3.