Ralph Ewen Anderson

Ewen passed away Sunday, July 17th in Prince George, BC, just a week after his 79th birthday. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, Ewen spent most of his adult life in Pierrefonds, Quebec, and was a devoted and loving husband of 54 years to Shirley, a proud father to Carolyn (Greg) and Michael (Carmel), and an adoring grandfather to Carmen, Clay, Audrey, Elizabeth, and Richard. He was also brother to Donald (the late Lynne) and uncle to Peter (Vesna) and David. Ewen had a big heart and loved his family very much.

Ewen’s early interests were in wood cabinet and furniture-making, bicycle touring with Shirley and young Carolyn on a bicycle-built-for-3 that he fabricated, and auto mechanics. Ewen enthusiastically embraced emerging technology in the 80s, acquiring a Vic 20, then a Commodore 64 for his family. He truly enjoyed keeping up with evolving technology for decades and excitedly talked about getting the latest iPhone and AirPods just weeks before he passed.

Ewen was blessed to enjoy 21 years of retirement from his position at Merck as Distribution Analyst (or Drug Trafficker, as he preferred to be titled), where he served time for over 30 years. In his retirement, Ewen enjoyed golf, camping at the trailer, playing around with technology, and traveling with Shirley to see his kids and grandkids, who had all fled westward. Despite being retired from his day job, he continued to organize and lead essential meetings with the guys at The Manoir, where he had an impeccable attendance record.

Ewen fought a fierce and mercifully brief battle with cancer at the BC Cancer Centre in Prince George, during which he showed great strength and grace, all while routinely cracking jokes with the nurses. We would be remiss to not recognize the wonderful nurses and doctors who provided such outstanding care for him, and we ask that, if desired, please donate to the BC Cancer Foundation (donate.bccancerfoundation.com) in his memory.

A small, private service will be held in late July.