Ralph Daniel McCormick

Ralph Daniel McCormick was born on Tuesday, September 24, 1918 in Burriss, Ontario to Daniel and Blanche McCormick. His life ended peacefully at the Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care on Friday, January 28th, 2011 after a short illness with his wife and family at his side.

Ralph commenced his education at the Burriss Consolidated School, located on the McCormick family homestead. Further studies were completed at the Fort Frances High School.

After High School it was off to Nipigon, Ontario to work as a truck driver during the construction of the TransCanada highway. Many loads of material were moved that had been hand shovelled by six labourers into the truck.

On March 1942, he enlisted for the war and served with the 18th Armoured Car Regiment under the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, B Squadron. The Squadron landed in France and as scouts for the main forces spent much time in front or behind the lines finally reaching and liberating Holland. During his service he was noted for meritorious service and received a Citation & the Oak Leaf from King George.

After his return to Canada, Ralph and his brother Robert operated the successful “McCormick Laundromat” in Fort Frances for many years. Occasionally a deck of cards found its way into the back room which drew many serious players and good times.

When the Laundromat sold, he started work as a carpenter for Wyatt Construction in Winnipeg Manitoba. Following the 1950 flood of the Red River, he completed renovations and salvage of many homes. It was during this time he met his future wife Adeline Gallant. The company then sent him back to Fort Frances to work on the new Rainycrest Home for the Aged.

On March 27, 1951 he married his wife Adeline in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Ralph left Wyatt Construction rejecting a move to Norway House, Manitoba after his marriage.

The new couple moved to Fort Frances, Ontario and then on to Crilly, Ontario, where he cut timber for several years on the Seine River chain. In 1956, he moved to Atikokan, Ontario to work for Steep Rock Iron Mines. Here he had a varied career, as a carpenter, an underground miner, and hoistman. He ended as a hoistman, salvaging equipment from the closed mine site. With the closure of Steep Rock in 1979, he became the hoistman for Atiko Gold mines during an attempt to reopen that mine. This was followed with contract work as a carpenter for the Atikokan School Board maintenance department. His final job was a weigh scale operator on the new Bending Lake Highway. In 1983, upon reaching the age of 65 he retired.

During vacations he ensured his family experienced much of Canada and the United States with many trips across the country from coast to coast. Historic sites such as forts and museums were normal stops during the travels with interruptions at several hot springs in which he loved to bask.

He continued with his love of travel after his retirement with trips to the Netherlands for liberation celebrations in 1995 and 2000. These trips were supplemented with excursions to England, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg. Adeline and Ralph also managed to escape twelve Canadian winters with lengthy trips to Hawaii after his retirement. Not withstanding the cold, they also did one cruise to Alaska.

He served more than 50 years as an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #145 and as a treasurer/member of the Atikokan Fix It Club. He also served as the manager/treasurer of the Atikokan Credit Union as it operated out of the family home.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Adeline, son, Daniel (Trudy), Fort Frances, On. grandchildren, Catherine (Kyle) (Kingston), Richard (Atikokan), Michael (Fort Frances), son Donald (Rita), Kenora On, grandchildren, Evan (Kenora), Cody(Sarah)(Edmonton), Cori (Penticton), and great grandchildren Dylan, Brianna, & Nate of Penticton. He also leaves behind his sisters in law, Buffy McCormick (Cobourg, On), Marg McCormick (Fort Frances, On), Violet Nychuk (Swan River, Mn), brother in law Tom Kiddle (Fort Frances, On) and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and father, Blanche and Daniel, brothers, Robert, Edward, and sisters Maude, Edna & Hazel.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at the Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan. Pastor Brad Ricci will officiate followed by interment in the Little Falls Cemetery.

Friends are invited to join the family following the graveside service at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 145 in Atikokan.

The family asks that in remembrance any donations be made to Atikokan General Hospital or a charity of their choice in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.