Ralph Douglas Ayers
Ralph Ayers, known to friends as “Breezy,” passed away June 27, 2014 after a long battle with dementia. He was 87 years old.
Ralph was born in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba to William and Ruth Ayers on Jan. 20, 1927. After Ralph graduated, he moved out west to Burnaby, B.C., where he met his wife Dorothy. He started a career with BC Tel that lasted 36 years. Ralph and Dorothy started a family and moved to Smithers in 1966, staying until he retired in 1983. He and Dorothy then moved to Saltspring Island and were there from 1984-2003, finally settling in Chilliwack.
Ralph’s passion was his organic gardening and his secret was hard work and patience. His memory for detail and love of entertaining made him a tremendous story teller. He enjoyed sports and played baseball, golf and curling. His other hobbies were dancing and playing harmonica. Ralph was very community-minded. He was a volunteer at the Royal Canadian Legion and a member of the Lions Club.
Ralph is survived by his daughters Dianne and Marie (Wayne) and son Mark (Mandi), nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (nee Fraser) and his son Ralph Murray.
A special thank-you to Valleyhaven Retirement Community for their loving care and support. He will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him. No funeral by request.