It is with deep sorrow that Ralph David McLaren unexpectedly passed away at the age of 70. He is predeceased by his mother, Margaret (Leonard) McLaren; his mother-in-law, Marjorie (nee Nasichuk) Doknick; sister-in-law Bonnie; and Uncle, Richard Robertson.
He will be incredibly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Sharron, his daughters Kirsten and Robyn, and son in law Ryan.
He is also survived on the McLaren side by his father, Ewing Cleveland (“Red”); aunt Eleanor Robertson; brothers, Dennis (Andrea) McLaren, Bob (Barb) McLaren, and Doug McLaren; and sisters, Alma (Tom) Robinson, and Barb (Ted) Spitzig.
On the Doknick side, he is survived by his father-in-law Sam Doknick; brother-in-law Bob (Shirla) Doknick; sisters-in-law, Janet (Bill) Weir and Shannon (Willy) Doknick; cousins, Geoffrey (Sally), Matthew (Danielle), Ian (Julianne), Jason (Sheryl); and nieces, Jennifer, Stephanie (Josh), Sheena (AJ), Jennifer, Cara (Josh) and Allyson who will greatly miss Uncle Ralph and all the fun times. He dearly loved his nieces and nephews (you know you remember the “Tequila” dance on a diving board!). He will be missed by his surviving cousins – he tried to keep up with each and every one of you.
Born in Fort Vermilion, Alberta, it was not long until the McLarens moved to Cranbrook in beautiful British Columbia. He would tell many tales about recycled bathtub water, airport cats, train tracks, and the old outdoor pool. Starting out working for Mrs. Ban-Quan on the farm, Ralph eventually moved with his family from the airport in Cranbrook to Prince George.
Working at the airport and pulp mill (many stories of OT!), along with summer forest firefighting, Ralph committed to Overwaitea nightshift in Gr 12 at the Overwaitea Food Group and the rest is history – the pantry and fridge have been “faced” ever since. Meeting his loving wife Sharron in Prince George in 1978, they married and had two daughters – Kirsten and Robyn – before beginning their transferring adventures.
Ralph worked in numerous Overwaitea-Save On stores including Prince George (Spruceland), Fort St James, Prince Rupert, West Quesnel, Courtenay, Spruce Grove (Mayfield Common, Kingsway), Lethbridge (All West, Centre Bridge Mall), and St Albert (Mayfield Common, Strathcona, Stadium, 9th and Jasper). He loved his time at work and he could not have a conversation without bringing up a “Save On story”!
Ralph loved to be active; he coached minor hockey, hiked, biked (from Fort St James to PG!), cross-country skied (Moore’s Meadow was a favourite), kayaked/canoed, bowled, ballroom danced, pickleballed, swam (especially in Bear Lake) and golfed. His golf buddies and “the b-birds” will miss him – he will be missed at the courses they played. He proudly earned his National Association of Underwater Instructors certification in 1975. If you visited him in Rupert, he would be sure to show you all the incredible sea creatures from the Pacific. He loved golfing with Sharron (including going to the World Masters Games) and was always patiently helping everyone find lost balls…sometimes his own!
Ralph took pride in his home and found friendships within the Heritage Lakes community. The Miccolis family were cherished and their kindness always remembered. He loved animals – especially dogs – the neighborhood dogs miss his special treats. In many moves, Ralph had the privilege to meet and connect with many friends (Sterlings) who became family.
The “simply the best” OFG family knows that with Ralph “if you are ten minutes early, you’re late” (allegedly a Jimmy Pattison quote – unverified!). His interests were varied, and he loved to learn – Egypt, Italy, WW2 planes, he consumed a lot of science, history and geography – along with many Sudoku puzzles. Ralph loved to travel and would insist he needed to go back to Italy.
He loved to be silly and laugh – a classic SNL fan, Danny DeVito lover, Ralph was the first to lighten any mood. He never shied away from a microphone and was comfortable public speaking – he also never forgot a name. His classic love of rock – AC/DC topping the list – spans many decades back, and he knew details upon details of rock band and music information – his record collection was vast. He loved a good concert, but not if the tickets were so expensive you could buy the whole catalogue of music for the same price! His weakness – Caffeine-Free Diet Coke and a bowl of white cheddar popcorn.
He had a great connection with people, from his customers to his friends, neighbours and family.
Thank you to Dr. LaBuick for your kindness over the years.
We are devastated by this loss.
Dennis McLaren says
Great obit! I will miss talking with Ralph every week about how we could trigger memories in “Grandpa, Dad, Brother, Uncle and Greatgrandpa! Ralph was diligent in phoning so often that the nurses in the lodge would say it was Ralph o’clock when it was about time for him to call in. Though Ralphs’ body maybe gone he is forever with us spiritually and emotionally and etched into our memories.
R.I.P.
Jana Slaney says
Kirsten and family, this is such a beautiful tribute to a man who has undoubtedly enlightened so many lives and was so cherished. I am deeply saddened by the loss of your father and husband. .
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all through this deep sorrow. May God give you the strength to persist and the faith to believe that Ralph is in a beautiful place, is at peace and will be with you always.
Blessings and prayers…
Bob McLaren says
Cranbrook (1953-1969)
Ralph will be greatly missed. He was more than a brother, he was a great friend. Growing up in a family of eight meant our family had built-in friends. Living on the Cranbrook Airport, we had lots of room for a family ball game of “500 Up” on a summer evening, or a good day of tobogganing in the winter. I spent many summer days with Ralph at the Gyro Cranbrook Swimming Pool, where Ralph taught me the proper techniques for a good “Cannon Ball” or “Can Opener”. Ralph could always make the biggest splash. Along with Ralph, I remember working for Mrs. Ban Quan bagging turnips in the field and hand bombing a trailer full of Californian watermelons for the Cranbrook market, which included an Overwaitea store. It was hard and hot work, but our friend Brian (Dooze) Ban Quan always made sure we had a few cracked watermelons to share.
Bob McLaren says
Prince George and beyond (1969-2023)
When I was on breaks from my UBC studies, Ralph would always invite me into his circle of friends (which included Petey and Al). We would go to Shakey’s Pizza on a Sunday where Ralph would order one single size salad for the table and no one was to eat the salad, which was our passport to drink beer on a day when the bars had to close.
Ralph always had a great sense of humour and he loved to have fun.
Ralph, I hope you are sharing a cold one with Petey.
Ralph, you will be sadly missed, but always remembered.