Mr. William Ralph Booker

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Ralph Booker, at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare on September 1, 2014 at the age of 87. Husband of Julie (deceased 1979), proud father of Linda, Karen (Philip), Richard (Barbara), and Kathy (Dale). Grandfather of Michael (Lisa), Christopher (Carly) and great-grandfather of newborn Verity. Ralph was born in Orillia, but spent most of his life living in Toronto and area. He met his wife Julie while enjoying a passion they both shared, dancing at the Palais Royale! After a courageous battle with cancer, she passed after 25 years of marriage together. Ralph was an active member of AA since 1982, and he celebrated 32 years of sobriety. As he acknowledged "AA saved my life" he believed strongly in giving back, volunteering by answering the phone lines at AA, being a sponsor, starting the Trinity Aurora Wednesday noon group, joining the York Central Hospital Emergency & Palliative Care Team in Richmond Hill, spearheading the St. Bartholomew's Anglican Regent Park Christmas Dinners, working at 501 Queen West Detox Center and co-facilitated a group for men through Mimico Alcohol & Drug Education Program. He was personally honoured by receiving the Courage to Come Back Award granted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in 1998, for being a truly compassionate and empathetic man, while dealing with addiction and depression. Ralph was not one to sit idle. Even as a senior, he loved to drive his white van particularly across Canada where he proudly celebrated the diversity of the provinces, visiting friends, attending AA meetings and mailing postcards back to his children. As his health deteriorated, he left York Region where he had lived for the past 36 years and moved to Avondale Retirement Home in the Leslieville area of Toronto. He was one of the very first residents when it opened its' doors in 2005. He enjoyed the many activities offered and rekindled his love of Toronto again with his family.

The family wishes to acknowledge the dedicated staff, many who have been at Avondale as long as Ralph, for their genuine care, love, humour, neverending flexibility and patience for the relationships they shared with Ralph, to create his "home away from home." The family is also grateful for the compassionate care of staff at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, where Ralph spent the last ten weeks of his life. Their expertise, listening ear and sensitivity were so appreciated during this tremendously difficult time.

Visitation will be held at Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora on Thursday September 4, 2014, 5-8 pm. Funeral will be held at Trinity Anglican Church Aurora at 11 am on Friday September 5, 2014. In lieu of flowers, donations to Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, or the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Please access the website at Thompson Funeral Home, Aurora (www.thompsonfh-aurora.com) for these details.