Passed on June 10, 2026 after painful struggles with a brain tumor. John was born in Ottawa to Helen Winnifred Seton Gould Ralfe and George Whitfeld Ralfe on August 23, 1944, and spent most of his youth in Toronto’s Lawrence Park area, a source of hockey and bridge-playing friends preparing for the realities of who they became. In John’s case it included founding member of Prince Edward County’s Oldtimers’ Hockey League during their agile years with John serving as goalie. He was also an awesome elementary school teacher who, as recently as Christmas 2025, was delighted by greetings received from former students who kept in touch, recalling memories of their early years in his well-managed classrooms in rural counties east of the GTA. Even appreciative notes from students’ parents over the years are in his archives! It was in 2007 that John met his soulmate, Ann McMaster, who grieves the passing of her VBF who departed when they still had much to tell and share together. John was predeceased by his youngest sister, Cathy Ralfe and leaves behind his surviving sister, Sue Foard, and her husband, Greg of Elora; and nephew Ted Foard. John is also remembered with much gratitude for his gracious guidance and procedural skills by friends at RTO ERO District 30, Northumberland whose members also appreciate John’s focus for us to commit to improving the safety of Seniors in our midst.
Cremation has taken place and John was recently laid to rest with Ann’s family at Pine Hills Cemetery on October 15.
Special thanks for the excellent care received from the Palliative Care staff on Sills 4 at Belleville General Hospital.