November 19, 1925 - August 25, 2021
Ralph passed away in his room at the Fernie Rocky Mountain Village Long Term Care Home on Wednesday August 25, 2021, at the age of 95.
He was predeceased by his wife, Pearl, of 61 years in 2017.
He survived by his two sons and their spouses. Lyle (Heather) Skaien and Gordon (Cheryl) Skaien as well as four grandchildren, Aaron, Cora, Matthew and Andrew. All of Ralph's siblings have also all passed away.
Ralph was born on November 19, 1925, in the little town of Cabri, Saskatchewan located north of Swift Current.
Ralph was a loving Husband and Father. He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Agriculture in the late 1940's. Ralph started his career by farming in Cabri. He spent his winters in Vancouver where his sister introduced him to one her colleagues, Pearl Murray who soon became his wife in June 1956. They spent their first winter of married life living in Los Angeles.
In 1961 Ralph quit farming and rented the farm out. He then moved the family to Burnaby, Medicine Hat and Regina pursuing a career with his agriculture degree. In 1985 they retired and moved to South Surrey/White Rock.
After his wife Pearl passed away Ralph went into Assisted Living in South Surrey, he did not thrive there so after a fall that hospitalized him in October 2017, he was moved to a Long Term Care Facility in Fernie BC where his Son Lyle lived. He charmed the staff at the facility and will be missed.
As a couple Ralph and Pearl were big supporters of the White Rock Hospice Society, this wonderful non profit is now known as the Peace Arch Hospice Society. As a remembrance to Ralph donations to the Hospice Society would be greatly appreciated. www.peacearchhospice.org 604-531-7484