RALPH DANIEL McCORMICK

Ralph Daniel McCormick was born on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1918 in Burriss, Ont. to Daniel and Blanche McCormick.
His life ended peacefully, at the Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care in Atikokan, Ont., on Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 after a short illness, with his wife and family at his side.
Ralph commenced his education at the Burriss Consolidated School, located on the McCormick family homestead. Further studies were completed at Fort Frances High School.
After high school, it was off to Nipigon, Ont. to work as a truck driver during construction of the Trans-Canada highway. Many loads of material were moved that had been hand shovelled by six labourers into the truck.
On March, 1942, he enlisted for the war and served with the 18th Armoured Car Regiment under the 12th Manitoba Dragoons, B Squadron. The Squadron landed in France and as scouts for the main forces, spent much time in front or behind the lines, finally reaching and liberating Holland.
During his service, he was noted for meritorious service and received a Citation & the Oak Leaf from King George.
After his return to Canada, Ralph and his brother, Robert, operated the successful “McCormick Laundromat” in Fort Frances, Ont. for many years. Occasionally, a deck of cards found its way into the back room, which drew many serious players and good times.
When the Laundromat sold, he started work as a carpenter for Wyatt Construction in Winnipeg, Man. Following the 1950 flood of the Red River, he completed renovations and salvage of many homes.
It was during this time he met his future wife, Adeline Gallant. The company then sent him back to Fort Frances to work on the new Rainycrest Home for the Aged.
On March 27, 1951, he married his wife, Adeline, in Winnipeg. Ralph left Wyatt Construction, rejecting a move to Norway House, Man. after his marriage.
The new couple moved to Fort Frances, and then on to Crilly, Ont., where he cut timber for several years on the Seine River chain.
In 1956, he moved to Atikokan to work for Steep Rock Iron Mines, where he had a varied career as a carpenter, an underground miner, and hoistman. He ended as a hoistman, salvaging equipment from the closed mine site.
With the closure of Steep Rock in 1979, he became the hoistman for Atiko Gold mines during an attempt to reopen that mine. This was followed with contract work as a carpenter for the Atikokan School Board maintenance department.
His final job was a weigh scale operator on the new Bending Lake Highway. In 1983, upon reaching the age of 65, he retired.
During vacations, he ensured his family experienced much of Canada and the United States with many trips across the country from coast to coast. Historic sites, such as forts and museums, were normal stops during the travels, with interruptions at several hot springs in which he loved to bask.
He continued with his love of travel after his retirement with trips to the Netherlands for liberation celebrations in 1995 and 2000. These trips were supplemented with excursions to England, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, and Luxembourg.
Adeline and Ralph also managed to escape 12 Canadian winters with lengthy trips to Hawaii after his retirement. Not withstanding the cold, they also did one cruise to Alaska.
He served more than 50 years as an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #145 and as a treasurer/member of the Atikokan Fix It Club. He also served as the manager/treasurer of the Atikokan Credit Union as it operated out of the family home.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Adeline; son, Daniel (Trudy) of Fort Frances, Ont. and grandchildren, Catherine (Kyle) of Kingston, Ont., Richard of Atikokan, Ont., and Michael of Fort Frances, Ont.; son, Donald (Rita) of Kenora Ont. and grandchildren, Evan of Kenora, Ont., Cody (Sarah) of Edmonton, Alta., and Cori of Penticton, B.C., and great-grandchildren, Dylan, Brianna, and Nate of Penticton, B.C.
He also leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Buffy McCormick of Cobourg, Ont., Marg McCormick of Fort Frances, Ont., and Violet Nychuk of Swan River, Mn.; brother-in-law, Tom Kiddle of Fort Frances, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, Blanche and Daniel; brothers, Robert and Edward; and sisters, Maude, Edna, and Hazel.
Cremation has taken place, with a graveside service to be planned at a later and warmer date.
The family asks that in memoriam donations be made to the Atikokan General Hospital or a charity of their choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com