Abbotsford News Thursday, June 13, 2013 A53
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Ralph Rathwell Quadling It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Rathwell Quadling on Thursday, June 6, 2013. After undergoing treatment for throat cancer, his health, unfortunately, declined steadily. He is greatly missed by the love of his life, Hazel, and his four children: Carolynn Read (Glen); Debbie Aardema (George); Phil Quadling (Vicki); and Ralph Quadling Jr. (Kimber). He is predeceased by his older brother, Bill Quadling. Ralph was born in Chilliwack on May 22, 1932 in Chilliwack, the fifth child of Harry and Phyllis Quadling, and grew up with two brothers (Bill and Vern) and two sisters (Olive and Frances) on Longacres Jersey Farms, which he operated throughout his working life. In those many years, Ralph established a reputation as a hardworking, principled, and professional farmer, recognized as an esteemed member of the Jersey Club of BC, for which he acted for a term as President. He was recognized for his excellence by being presented with the Master Breeder award. He “retired” from active farming in the early 1990’s, but still “put his boots on” for many years thereafter. Ralph was committed to the Fraser Valley agricultural community and was involved with the Sumas Prairie Historical Society and contributed to two books: “One Foot on the Border” and “Pioneer Stories, 1890 - 1950”. This showed his love for reading, and even though you’d never find a fiction book in his hand, he was very knowledgeable about regional and Canadian history and international issues. He was a dedicated family man who dearly loved “his Hazel”…they were everything to each other and would have celebrated their 62nd anniversary on June 8. He enjoyed his Sunday afternoon family times over a good cup of coffee and the delicious cookies and cakes lovingly prepared by Hazel. He loved being visited by family and was blessed with seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren (with one on the way). Ralph enjoyed family meals around the big table and, later in life, became quite a culinary help in the kitchen. Ralph and Hazel enjoyed getting together with “the gang”, a group of couples who met regularly in each other’s homes and shared good times. He had a tremendous love for nature: from the magnificent mountain and valley views of his farm setting; to the annual spring fishing trip to Bridge Lake; to the “travel bug” they had for cruising, Jersey Club trips to Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand and family trips to other beautiful places. Ralph was always generous in his financial support of his chosen charities: The Cancer Research Institute (www. cancerresearch.org); Children’s Hospital (www.bcchf.ca); and The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (www.ccfc.ca). At his request, there will be no funeral service. Rather, there will be a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to one of Ralph’s favourite charities (or one of your own) in his name. Dear Ralph and Dad: you will be greatly missed by us all. Love: your family
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Phone: 604-851-4537 Fax: 604-853-6065 email: bonniep@bcclassified.com For online obituaries visit
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JANSSEN Marcel Elie Joseph (Jan) March 8, 1914 - June 4, 2013 Dad passed away peacefully at Bevan Lodge in his 99th year, surrounded by the love of his family. Dad was the dear husband of Ruth (deceased 1998) and much loved father of Joyce and John Friesen of Abbotsford and Marcelle (Marcie) and Bert Dercola of Markham, Ontario. He was a devoted grandfather to Jody Friesen/Bud Wandrei and Marnie and Casey Vinet of Abbotsford and Tracie Graham and Joely and Keith McEwen of Markham. Dearly loved great-grandfather (Gigi) of Ava Vinet, Trenton Graham and Cole and Burke McEwen. A loved friend to his sister-in-law and her husband, Joyce and Elved Edwards of Chilliwack and their family; brother-in-law and his wife, Fred and Lee Hall of Hope. Dad emigrated from Liege, Belgium to Canada with his parents, Joseph and Elise, in 1923, settling first in Treherne, MB then moving to Winnipeg a few years later. He met Mom, Ruth Hall, in a church play and they married in 1940. Dad was a career soldier (Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineers - RCEME), enlisting in 1943. Fortunately, he was never involved in combat as armistice was declared while crossing the Atlantic. He was with the occupying forces for a year in Holland prior to shipping home. Being French bilingual, his army life was then spent between Quebec and Winnipeg, achieving the rank of W02. On retiring from the military in 1966, he and Mom moved to BC to join other family members. They travelled extensively until Mom’s health failed in 1994 and she passed away in 1998. Dad carried on stoically for eight years in their condo, moving on to Hallmark by the Lake and, as his health declined, finally to Bevan Lodge in 2012. Dad was a devoted family man, a gallant gentleman, well-respected and cared for by those who knew him. He loved woodworking - passed down from his father who was a cabinetmaker - and he was a beautiful dancer. It was lovely to see him and Mom gliding to a Strauss waltz.
MCLEOD Elsie Mae June 9, 1932 – June 9, 2013
Elsie died peacefully on her 81st birthday in Vancouver, BC. She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Tom Paproski; children Ted (Deborah), Sandy, Rick (Karen), Malcolm (Deborah); grandchildren Jeremy, Aimee, Tobin, Austin, John, Gary, Ted, Melissa; 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Elsie was predeceased by her father Stanley Paproski; mother Clara Oddy nee Crandall; brother John Paproski; and grandson Malcom McLeod Jr. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Paul’s Hospital and Delta Funeral Home for their support and professionalism. A Celebration of Life will be held in Aldergrove at Personal Alternative Funeral Services, 3070 275A St. on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
Delta Funeral Home (604) 946-6040
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Dad compiled his memoirs, ‘I Remember’, in 1999 and it is now our task to write the final chapter. Many thanks to Dr. Collingridge for his excellent care of Dad and always being available to the family. Thanks also to the staff at Bevan for their kind care and compassion - thank you Nurse John for making Dad’s final night so comfortable. Cremation has been entrusted to Henderson Fraser Valley Funeral Home. There will be no service at this time. Rather, a ‘Celebration of Life’ will take place later in the summer when Dad’s Abbotsford and Markham families can come together to toast a very special man. Sleep softly, Dad
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