Ralph John Gray

Ralph John Gray, of Kitchener, passed away peacefully, May 20, 2023, at Grand River Hospital in his 77th. year.

Ralph was born in Toronto where he was on his high school swim team and earned certification for life saving.  He worked at Eddie Black’s Camera Stores while pursuing an interest in photography.  This job paid for his education at the University of Toronto. He was later hired by the University of Waterloo as a photographic specialist.  He left the University to become a wood stove installer and chimney sweep. He was mechanically inclined and performed his own car repairs while driving for City Cab.  Driving his own taxi was Ralph’s dream job.  He loved talking to people and drinking his large double/double coffee throughout the day.  He sold his cab and licence just before Uber arrived, and retired.

Ralph will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of sixteen years, Marlene (Perkins) Drysdale, and her children, their spouses, and grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his parents, Zeke and Ruth Gray of Toronto. He will be missed by his brother Robert (Bob) Gray, and sister-in-law Mary Beth, as well as their children and grandchildren.

He will also be missed by his many friends at Tim Hortons, his Bluegrass musician friends in Canada and the States, his clown friends (Ralph was a graduate of Toby’s Clown School, Sebring, Fl.), and all the people he shared his sense of humour and kindness with.

A cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Ralph’s life will be happening in the future for all his relatives and friends to come and enjoy the afternoon as only Ralph would want it.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand River Hospital Foundation’s Intensive Care Unit.

Messages and condolences may be left for the family at www.tricitycremations.com.  Please visit Ralph’s obituary notice on Facebook.