Ralph Leon Bent

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our father Ralph Leon Bent on June 1, 2016. Ralph was predeceased by his parents Atwood and Mary (Reed), his wife Mary (Klingler) his brothers Bill and Doug and his sister Mary Jardine. He is survived by his brothers Bobby, Keith and Buzz and his children Bruce (Barb) of Dallas, Texas, daughter Brenda (Susur) of Toronto, Ontario and son Gord of St Albert, Alberta. Nine grandchildren Robbie, Barbie, Shannon, Levi, Kai, Jet, Dillon, Matthew and Taylor and three great grandchildren Gianni, Arianna and Ryder.

Dad was born on June 16, 1927 in Punnichy, Saskatchewan. He was born into a CN Rail family with his dad Atwood hiring out in 1909 followed by Doug, Bobby, dad, Keith, son Gord, nephew Jamie and then grandson Matt. Judging by his love of trains four year old great grandson Gianni will be next. Dad hired out in 1942 and worked all over Saskatchewan before transferring to Winnipeg in 1972. He worked as a telegraph operator, station agent, train dispatcher, power controller and Chief train dispatcher before retiring as a ROCO (regional operations control officer) in 1986. As a family we met so many great people through CN Rail who remained friends for life that there wouldn't be space to name them all.

Besides family, dad had three great loves in life, golfing, gambling and sports, particularly the Toronto Blue Jays. In the last few years he has had to give up golf but in his day he was an accomplished player who had five holes in one to his credit including one on his 50th birthday. Dad loved horse racing and in his time was the part owner of several thoroughbreds at Assiniboine Downs. He loved to go on his computer and bet the races at Woodbine and football, baseball, hockey and golf on Play Now. His kids would call him after every Jays game where he would celebrate the wins and loved to second guess whoever the current manager was after losses. One of his biggest loves in life was going to visit his daughter Brenda in Toronto where he would go to the Blue Jays games with his great friend Geddy Lee and sit right behind the plate. Geddy would introduce him to the players and he received several autographed bats which put him in seventh heaven. After a tough start it was nice that the Jays cooperated and sent dad out on a nice streak of winning ball!

Dad will be missed but he had a great life.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 10:00 am at Green Acres Funeral Home, Highway 1 East at Navin Road, Winnipeg.