Ralph Matthew Bell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph at the age of 85 on June 11, 2026. He always felt his families’ presence through his stay in St. Boniface Comfort Care Ward.

Ralph will be sadly missed and lovingly remember by his wife, Barb (nee Goudie) and her sons Duane (Amber), Darrell (Sian), and James (Jen); also, Ralph’s daughter Kristi (James), her mother Shirley, sisters Jodi, Tammy and Lori, her brother Randy and their children. He also leaves behind grandchildren Logan, Gabriel, Grayson, Cameron, Jayden, Trevor, Lexi, Tavish and great grandson Booth.

Ralph is predeceased by his father, Matthew Bell, his mother, Alice (Harrison) and his brother Robert (Doreen).

Ralph was born and raised in East York, Toronto, where he received his schooling. It was during these years that his love of music began. Along with his friends, he formed a band that performed at school dances, and he was also an active member in the church choirs.

Ralph began his professional career with Toronto Dominion Bank in 1959. After starting in general banking, he moved into the bank’s data processing. In November 1979, he was transferred to the TD Data Centre in Calgary. Another transfer in June 1983 brought him to Winnipeg for about nine months before he returned to the Whitby/Toronto area. His final transfer took him back to Winnipeg in 1989.

Ralph managed the Winnipeg Data Center until the amalgamation of TD, Royal, and Montreal banks into a single data center under the banner of Symcor. He retired from Symcor shortly after seeing the successful millennium transition.

Ralph and Barb meet in 1996 at the Granite Curling Club when he searched out a second weekly opportunity to curl. Their first date was March 1997, and they were inseparable from that point on. Ralph continued curling in the Men’s league at Granite but had to give up curling in the Singles League. He later curled in the Seniors League at the Deer Lodge Curling Club. He also enjoyed golfing and made a valiant effort to try and teach Barb the game.

Knowing he was facing early retirement, he was told that Toastmasters would be a good outlet to further develop his management skills. Ralph joined Serendipity Toastmaster in the spring of 1998 where he quickly became an active member serving on the executive of the club. He later became active in the district, first acting as an Area Governor and then as a Division Governor. He faithfully completed the Toastmaster program and became a Distinguished Toastmaster in 2005. He served as a member of the “Top Three” and filled the role of District Governor in 2005-2006.

Aside from curling, golf, and Toastmasters, Ralph spent many a day in various campgrounds. Ralph and Barb’s first camping experience in 1999 was in a small tent at Countryfest in the rain. As the years passed, Ralph progressed from a small tent to a large 12-by-18-foot tent, then to a small trailer, a motorhome, a park model, and then back to a smaller trailer in the summer of 2025.

Ralph and Barb joined the Redboine Good Sams Camping Group in 2009 and enjoyed their monthly camping trips. On their own, they visited many Manitoba campgrounds, spent a month touring the northwestern States, many trips to Toronto to visit family, and then finally settling at Sandhill Pines RV Resort in 2014. Sandhill Pines became his Happy Spot.

Ralph’s final home was at a 55 plus residence. He and Barb moved into 65 Paget in June of 2008. As was Ralph’s nature, he immediately became involved and served on the first residence executive. He enjoyed joining in on all the activities and social events including providing some of the wine for the Annual Wine & Cheese party. He was thankful for all the wonderful, caring people that he could call friends. He truly considered Paget the best place to live.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 5th at 2:00 pm at the Charleswood Legion – 6003 Roblin Blvd.

Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the wonderful staff of the Palliative Care Ward at St. Boniface Hospital. The kindness, compassion, and care you showed to Ralph and his family carried us through the roller coaster days. Also, thanks to the Palliative Home Care nurses especially Lana, Hannah and Andrej.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to CancerCare Manitoba or the charity of your choice.