Ralph De La Mare

   Dad passed away peacefully at Crocus Court in Roblin on May 27, 2018 with Murray, Marnie and DerryAnn by his side.

   Ralph was born November 30, 1923 at SW 35-27-28 in Shell River Municipality to George Henry De La Mare and Della May De La Mare (Stauffer). He was the second youngest of their seven children and the last living member of the family.

   In 1928, George and Della moved across the road to NE 27-25-28 and Ralph as a young boy helped build the house that was his home for the majority of his life. In the early years, the De La Mare home was the scene of many family gatherings, community card parties and dances. Ralph met Margaret Ellen Prier at the United Church young peoples’ group in his late teen years. They were married November 28, 1946 and celebrated almost 65 years together.

   Dad enjoyed farming and working side by side with his neighbours, friends or relatives in the district; cutting wood, making feed for the animals, barn building, dehorning or vaccinating cattle whenever called upon for help. Besides farming, Dad did custom work with his caterpillar, clearing land in the summertime and skidding logs in the Duck Mountains in the winter months for Gordon Russett. Dad was a very good curler in his younger years and took part in many bonspiels. In the late 1960s, he took up a different kind of broom and was the ice maker and caretaker of the curling club for 16 years.

   An avid hunter and fisherman, he was able to feed his family with deer, elk, moose and fish. He often talked about fishing Child’s and Laurie Lakes before there was a road. They towed the boat with the tractor and camped out for two or three days at a time. A fly-in fishing trip northeast of Flin Flon was a big highlight. He caught a Master Angler Walleye on Lake of the Prairies later in life. Another big event was the shooting of a bull elk in 1952, when hunting south of Ochre River. During his retirement, Dad loved to golf. He seldom missed a Men’s Night league game and competed on the seniors’ tour in the Parkland. He was able to record two Hole-in-One(s) at Roblin Golf and Country Club: on #5 and #8. He and his partner Gordon Keast won the Roblin Men’s league in 1995.

   He was always interested in politics and current affairs and liked to read newspapers, history books and biographies. After losing his sight he was a member of the CNIB library and listened to talking books. He was a great fan of country and country gospel music.

   During his lifetime he gave back to his community. He was a member of Roblin Game and Fish Association, Manitoba Pool Elevators Board, Roblin Credit Union Credit Committee for 17 years, Parkland Regional Library Committee and served 18 years on Shell River Municipal Council. His honesty and integrity never waivered and was known and appreciated by many.

   After Ralph and Margaret moved into Roblin, they spent several summers at the farm gardening, cutting grass and watching the wildlife. Mom’s failing health and Dad’s loss of eyesight in 2010 necessitated a move to Maple Manor. Mom passed away in 2011 but thanks to the Home Care staff there and his good friend Art McIntyre, Dad was able to live on his own until February this year when his failing health forced a move to Crocus Court.

   He was very proud of his family and their achievements and will be sadly missed by all of us. 

   Surviving Ralph are their two children, Murray (DerryAnn Sanders) and Marnie Bolland (Keith), five grandchildren and their spouses as well as 11 great-grandchildren and 43 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his loving wife Margaret on September 19, 2011, his parents, all his siblings and their spouses as well as Margaret’s parents (George and Cassie Prier), and their other seven children and spouses.

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