Ralph Zander

It is with both heavy and peaceful hearts that we announce the passing of Ralph Zander, Husband, Father, Papa and friend. Ralph passed away on July 8, 2024 at the age of 86 after a short 2-year battle with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Lung Cancer.

Ralph is pre-deceased by his loving wife Karen who has been waiting patiently to be in his arms again and is survived by his children Cathy (Leo), Lesley (Stacy), Grandson Kylan, along with many nephews, nieces and friends. Ralph was born September 30, 1937, to his parents Roy and Millie Zander and had a sister Marj who also is deceased. He grew up in Raymore, SK before moving to the “big city” of Regina, SK.

At the age of seventeen, Ralph moved to Calgary and joined the Canadian Military and served in Germany seeing many things a young man should never see but he did this because he loved his Country and took great pride in his service although rarely spoke about it.

Ralph’s career saw him in logistics for many trucking and oil and gas companies but his true passion was hockey and baseball. He was a curler for Team Canada and was disappointed he never saw the Olympics but continued curling recreationally for many years. Ralph had an arm on him and was noticed by the Pittsburgh Pirates of the MLB and was drafted by them in his early years. Ralph served as head statistician for the Calgary Cowboys, Calgary Wranglers and the Calgary Hitmen and also worked in the press box for the Calgary Flames. He was a devoted billet dad for many Calgary Wrangler and Calgary Hitmen players.

Ralph loved his family passionately and always exuded kindness and compassion to all those he met. He doted on his wife, and just loved having two girls, even though he wanted a boy, which he kind of got in Lesley. When his grandson came along, he couldn’t wait to throw the ball with him or play a little hockey, and the look in his eyes when he called him Papa was pure joy.

He loved playing pool in the basement with his son-in-law Stacy or any billet son that wanted to take him on. Even though Ralph had a few injuries to his arms, he still won majority of the games – but would allow Kylan a few wins just to be nice. He loved that pool table and being able to hear the laughter from all those using it.

He was an incredible man who will leave so many memories in all of us.