Ralph Sinclair Day
1925 - 2023
Ralph Sinclair Day
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We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ralph Day, a 97 year old World War Two Veteran who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Camp Hill, Veterans Memorial Building in Halifax.

 

Ralph was born in Musquodoboit Harbour to his parents Alfred Caspian and Bessie Lloye (Joudrey) Day. When he was barely old enough, Ralph joined the army and would go on to serve in WWII in Germany with his brothers and close friends. In 1945, he was wounded by shell fire, rehabilitated, and then sent back to the front lines where he continued fighting until the end of the war. Ralph said he lost a lot of friends during the war and gave no credit to himself for the ones he saved.

 

Ralph returned to civilian life and six months later he rejoined the army. This time he was stationed in Ontario at Camp Borden working in an Ordinance position. During his time in Camp Borden, he met and fell in love with Helen (Switzer) whom he married on November 7, 1958. Ralph and Helen chose to settle in Mississauga, Ontario, where they raised their two children, Brian and June. A close connection to family and Nova Scotia was important to Ralph. While the family spent summers in Nova Scotia with his sister Betty's family, Ralph selflessly returned home to work his summers as a Line Mechanic at General Mills.

 

In 1988, Ralph and Helen retired and moved to Valley where they built their home.

 

Ralph, a very welcoming personality, was always busy talking to someone and always going above and beyond to help those in need. There were no strangers to Ralph, he would talk to everyone. Ralph had a contagious laugh and was always thanking people for any expression of kindness. He had his own rendition of the River Dance and if you were ever lucky enough to have witnessed it, you would find yourself smiling and laughing along. Ralph was always singing or busy working around the house. He had a passion for bowling, gardening, socializing, cards and watching sports. He loved shopping for bargains and could be found touring the aisles at Giant Tiger on a regular basis.

 

Ralph was predeceased by his first wife, Helen (Switzer); brothers, Robert, William, James, Norman, Dougal and John; sisters, Hazel, Norma, Alfreda, Marjorie, Elizabeth "Betty" and Eleanor.

 

Ralph was blessed again and was married in 2001 to Romona (Smith). They were inseparable, creating a home filled with love, laughter and good times. His love and devotion for his family was in everything that he did. Never passing a cry for help, Ralph became a selfless and compassionate caregiver to his wife and was devastated at age 93 when he could no longer care for her at home. They were separated for reasons beyond their control, yet their desire, love and need for each other continued. A special thanks to Romona's family for the love, joy and support you gave Ralph until he was separated from his wife. The only thing constant in life is change and how you respond to change defines your character. Ralph continued to smile through silent pain and fight battles nobody knows about. It was faith, family and friends that helped carry him.

 

Ralph is survived by his loving wife, Romona (Smith); son, Brian (Lisette) Day; daughter, June (Dave) Pearn; grandchildren, Timothy Day, Robyn (Hesham) Ads, Cathy (Chad) Sherbo and Robert (Robin) Pearn; great-grandchildren, Aria, Rylan (Cathy), Peyton, Gretchen (Robert), Jackson, Zeyad (Robyn) and & many nieces and nephews.

 

Ralph knew he was blessed to have had all of you in his life and I know he would have thanked each and every one of you for your love, support and acts of kindness. So on behalf of my dad, Thank you.

 

To our family at Camp Hill - Thank you for going above and beyond to ensure Ralph was happy, healthy, engaged and loved.

 

Ralph will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him and his legacy will continue to live on through the countless lives he touched throughout his life.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro where the family will receive friends from 2-4 pm on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Interment will be at a later date in Crossroads Cemetery. If so desired, donations in Ralph's memory to a charity of choice are welcomed. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Ralph's obituary on-line and selecting "Send a Condolence" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com

 

And to my Dad - Thank you for your Service and may God wrap his arms around you and never let you go. "Bye for now" (Dad always ended our daily phone call with "Bye for now") "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" ~ AA Milne Rest in peace Dad. All my love, June

 

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more And the morning breaks eternal bright and fair When the saved diverse shall gather over on the other shore And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there...

 

When I was a young lad, my father’s voice would trumpet through the house with the words to that song. I think it was a favourite. As my friend Bob would say, he lived life large. The Lord decided that his work was done, thus accepting his soul to heaven on the Ides of March 2023.

 

Dad loved other songs. He had a fondness for Nova Scotia and would touch the volume when old Wilf Carter’s voice piped out the lyric —

 

"When it's Apple Blossom time in Annapolis Valley, where all nature is in bloom to beauty find..."

 

My father was witness to 97 years of worldly change. As a young man he signed up to join the Canadian Forces in World War II. Oh, but for the horrors he must have seen... He stowed the secrets deep in his soul. I’m sure it inspired him to live with a generous heart.

 

His joviality sounded with his unique beat of laughter. His good nature and fine character were esteemed and admired by all who came to know him. When Ralph entered a room, everyone noticed.

 

"Call me anything you’d like, just not late for dinner", though he typically was last to the table. Mom always called him on time. Here they are together in their Mississauga home.

 

Growing up in Mississauga, I got to know current events by the daily reports from Gordon Sinclair on CFRB. Dad was perpetually tuned into that station. One day, Petula Clark’s voice came over the small JC Penny radio and Dad turned up the volume when he heard the lyric —

 

"When you're alone and life is making you lonely you can always go... Downtown."

 

But downtown wasn’t the place for Dad. He was a wanderer. That old Chevy was meant to travel and bear the load of a heavy camper, and so it did, as did his Buick, and his Oldsmobile. This was a typical camping scene for us in the 70s.

 

Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia was a popular destination for us. When Terry Fox was on his run, we were enjoying the lake. Dad wasn’t the best navigator as he had a habit of finding rocks with the prop, but he loved to take hold of the Mercury’s throttle.

 

Probably the biggest vacation ever taken was a road trip to western Canada when I was a lad of 8, or maybe it was the Hawaii vacation with Mom before retirement. Mostly, they were taking a camper somewhere. Sometimes, he carried the Springbok boat.

 

June and I were raised in Ontario. I studied electronics and June became a nurse. When we were out from under them, our parents decided Nova Scotia would be their home province in retirement. The Mississauga house was sold on May 27th, 1988. Dad and Mom then settled down in Truro where Dad set focus on a woodlot he owned. Perhaps my love of land was born in my father’s genes.

 

Mom passed in April 1998. Some time later, Dad courted Ramona. She accepted his hand in marriage in June 2001. This was a happy time and so they lived well together till age and medical issues forced them to forgo their home.

 

In retirement, Dad enjoyed his garden. He tended the vegetables daily and routed out the weeds. It was the earwig that troubled him. He regularly walked the earwig patrol with soap bottle in hand.

 

Dad was a fan of General Motors and that meant his pickup truck had to be a Chevy or GMC. This Sonoma would be his last vehicle. I’m sure it is awaiting his key to run some errand in town.

 

A hiking trip with his brother Jim is a strong memory for me. Jim had a small aluminum motorboat hidden in the woods. A forest fire melted it to scrap one year. I remember hiking with Dad and Jim along the old Musquodoboit railway and when I took this picture of the now long removed track, Dad thought I was wasting film, but I cherish this memory.

 

Dad was sharp of mind till nearly the end. He started talking about girl friends of old during our occasional chats. I seldom saw Dad over the last decade; however, I did visit him late last summer in his senescent days. It was a good visit. He was having his hair cut. The old men in Camp Hill poked fun at this 97-year-old man who needed his hair cut, most of them being bald.

 

Ralph Sinclair Day: June 12, 1925, to March 15, 2023. Born to Alfred Caspian Day (son of Joseph James Day + Mary Bates (first wife)) (Anne Stephens (Second wife of Joseph)) and Elizabeth Joudrey (daughter of Demas Joudrey + Mary Rutherford, Creighton) Siblings, all predeceased (14 of which I knew 10, including Dad) Hazel, Bob, Norma (died at age 7 from Diphtheria), Irving (out of family), Bill, Jim, Freda, Norman, Dougal, ??? (Boy—died at birth), Ralph (Dad), Margery (died from car accident), Betty, and Eleanor Footnote: Alfred Caspian (whom I barely remember) was born at sea on the ship named Caspian, thus his nickname of Cass. My middle name is Alfred, Timothy’s is Caspian. The good ship Caspian— ...

 

Let us lay before the Master from dawn 'til setting sun Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care Then when all of life is over and our work on Earth is done And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there...

 

I know you are there, Dad. I know. In loving memory, Brian