Ray, Pete, Alison and Mary
Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your father, Ralph.    He sounds like an amazing man.    May you find comfort in your cherished memories.
Janice and Jim Rose
Pete, please reach out or stop in sometime.  705.772.4455 
2548 Idyllwood Crescent.  We would love to see you.  I know my mom always enjoyed your visits.  Thanks!


Alison and Pete,
I have known you both for many years. Alison through work at St. Peter CSS and Pete through our younger days growing up in Peterborough and much fun! I met your Father at St. Peter and met him when I was going out practicing drumming with the Pipe and Drum band when I was very young. Your Father did have great stories as I remember. He could get your attention.
My Father worked also as a Draftsman at CGE and my Mother was a Teacher at Kenner CVI.
With Sympathy and prayer,
John W. Dadson

Dear Raymond and Family,

I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your father. Though I never had the privilege of meeting him, I am certain of the strength and love he passed on to you. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

With sympathy,
Mike (from Ottawa)

I was saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing. 
He was certainly a character. I remember him first from my days at PCVS. I wasn’t the best of students and spent far too much time in detention in the auditorium. Ralph was often the supervising teacher. We had many conversations - and he remembered those when we ended up working together at Fleming. I always appreciated that.
He could also be a provocateur - often with others, Doug Stock, Stephen Jackson, Dan Barclay, Felix Walker. There was a lengthy list. He and a few others might well have been the reason I ended up as union president. A fluke but one which changed a lot.
He supported me in many difficult union decisions and actions. He routinely spoke truth to power in a way that was accepted by the powers to be. He had an impact. 
He believed in education and community college eduction in particular. 
He was a beauty. 
My condolences.

Kevin Asselin.

Doug Stock

Ralph & I became a great friends at Fleming College where we both taught.   We were both talkers, sometimes our phone conversations would go on for hours solving the worlds problems & of course funny stories over a wee dram.
I am ever thankful to Ralph for his friendship & insights.
You will be missed dear friend. 
 Our condolences to Mary & Family 
















I started working with Ralph back in 1986 when I was secretary to campus council.  Ralph was the head and he was an absolute hoot.  He always had a large following. His office was like grand central station.  Ralph really knew his stuff. Never at a loss for words, he was quick witted, funny a great story teller and always knew what direction he wanted to see the college take.  Not to mention that he was totally convincing,and management rarely argued with his ideas.  He was smart and the college was lucky to have him.  Glad that he lived a long and fulfilling life.  I am glad to have had the privilege of working with him.

When I came to Trent University on a foreign student exchange, my friend and study partner Pete took me to his dad’s, Ralph’s, home for special events like Christmas, Easter and many other occasions. Ralph immediately made me feel welcome and was interested to learn about my walkabouts. This continued on and he eventually extended his welcome and whit to my children and wife. He was the consummate ambassador of being Canadian. I will miss him. 

In the early days of Sir Sandford Fleming "now Fleming" there were a few unforgetable characters. Ralph was one and would be at the top of my list.  Ralph could either be found in the staff lounge or the sauna leading court in the "theme" of the day. RIP Ralph Barry Matheson

We offer our sincere condolences to Ralph's family on his passing. From goat milking at his farm to lively discussions on how "the college" should be run, Ralph was never without stong conviction. He had a full  life.
For all who knew him and particularly Mary, Raymond, Peter and Allison, cherish the memories. 
Bob and Anka Keating 

When I showed up at the farm with Raymond that first time back in 1984, I was nervously anticipating meeting the tremendous force (to be reckoned with) that was Ralph Wood. A tough nut to crack in many ways, but inside a caring, loving human being. So glad I hung around to find out.  It was my good fortune to have Ralph as my father-in-law for over 30 years. I valued his guidance, and benefited greatly from his encouragement, support, and generosity. He was instrumental in helping me pursue a teaching career for which I am so thankful. I always appreciated (well, mostly) his proclivity to call a spade a spade, to not hold back in his defence of his convictions and analyses of various life, political, and family predicaments. Over the years, Ralph and I engaged in many, many usually late night, thought provoking, and emotionally wrought conversations which were honest, and challenging, and sometimes got prickly. He was wise, and witty, and a wee bit wacky. He was the founder, chair, and executive director of the Douro Galabeyo Society - a dress code to which all family members vigorously adhered. I’ll never forget the look of confusion and dismay on the CAA guy’s face that crisp winter morning when he came to jimmy the lock on my rental car  (because the keys were safely in the ignition), and looked up to see four men (Ralph, Raymond, Peter, and Craig) in their psychedelic flannel dresses. Cheers Ralphie! Love and hugs, Bridget

Invariably good-humoured, thoughtful, and kind I think.

And occasionally he would drive Joan Harrison and myself crazy as we tried to accommodate last-minute changes to the timetable that Ralph asked for on behalf of the OB faculty. If he sensed that he was making our life difficult, he would send Dan Barclay in to take the heat.

It was a pleasure to know him.

I am reminded of Ralph singing the old Harry Lauder tune:
Roamin' in the gloamin' wi' ma lassie by ma side
Rest in Peace old friend 
Condolences to the family 
Geoff Porter and Karen Monahan 

As Ralph would say singing the Harry Lauder tune: 
Roamin' in the gloamin' wi' ma lassie by ma side.
Rest in Peace friend 
Geoff Porter and Karen Monahan


As a boy, I remember Ralph sitting on the front porch of 311, engaged in lively conversation with a friend, or his brother. The conversation was animated - the intellectual, or social, or political point taken was of real importance. I admired that. I didn’t see that at other houses. I’ve been fortunate to have shared vigorous conversations with Pete, Ray and Alison. 
Then there were the calm Saturday mornings, he and Virginia having coffee, newspapers in hand, rattan armchairs. Often he’d say hi to me without looking up from his paper. 
Ralph always looked at his best, returning from a racquetball session. 
Later, at the farmhouse, Ralph sat on his chair at the kitchen table and was so affable, always interested to know what I’d been up to. 
Rest in peace, Ralph


Allison,Craig Reece, Livia and the Wood family:  I am so sorry to hear the news of Ralph .  I remember him from church .  Mulling outside and chatting.  Would meet him at the store as well.  So many memories to cherish.  Loretto Coones. 

I remember Ralph as a good person.
I remember Ralph as a curmudgeon.
I remember Ralph as compassionate.
I remember Ralph as condescending.
I remember Ralph as compassionate.
I remember Ralph as distant.
Mostly I remember Ralph as my friend.
My life was blessed knowing you. 
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught,
for auld lang syne..

Rest easy my friend. We will meet in the bye and bye.

OBITUARIO

Ralph Douglas Wood

13 julio, 1935 – 23 julio, 2025

Ashburnham Funeral Home & Reception Centre

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