We Remember
AYERS, Ralph
October 26, 1948 — October 7, 2022
The family of Ralph David Ayers regrets to announce his passing, at the age of 73, on October 7, 2022. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family and their love.
Ralph Ayers was born in Toronto, Ontario on October 26, 1948, to the late Ralph and Doris Ayers. He attended Terraview Heights Public School (and reconnected with classmates in his later years), followed by Victoria Park Secondary School. He grew up with a love for music and had fond memories playing guitar in his band “Group Therapy”. Ralph enjoyed years spent at the family cottage at Sharbot Lake, highlighted by the annual searching for the “orb” (an old white ball) during Thanksgiving walks.
Ralph received his Masters in Business, which he parlayed into a management and sales career in the forest products industry. During his working years, he was recognized for his outstanding performance, while making lifelong friends along the way.
Ralph was an avid reader, played hockey and golf, and loved taking photos and home videos of his family and friends.
Ralph took an active role in the Parkinson Society group in Kelowna, BC, raising money and awareness for the Parkinson’s SuperWalk fundraiser each year.
In his later years, he spent his time with family, enjoyed trivia nights and rye and gingers, while waiting for the Maple Leafs to win another Stanley Cup.
Ralph was known for his dedication to his family and his wonderful sense of humour. He will be deeply missed and is survived by Grace, his wife of 42 years; their children David, Kristy, Jesse, and Alix; and his brother Henry and sister Leslie. He was predeceased by his brother Charlie.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
The most common phrase I hear spoken about Ralph is “ he was a lovely guy” , and he was . For 48 years we were at times work friends , he was the boss, we were peers, competitors and customers and thorough all that we were friends. My deepest sympathies to all Ralph’s family.. He will be missed.
We were so lucky to have such a thoughtful, kind, gentle, witty brother-in-law, with his quirky but wonderful sense of humour. I will miss his phone calls on birthdays, Christmas and other special holidays, and his cheery greeting followed by, “Now, here’s Gracie.” I will think of him when we use his special recipe for herbed butter that he spread on his gourmet BBQ’d beef or salmon. Such a generous host who had a mean G&T ready for us when we arrived. As long as we remember him, he still lives in our lives. Cheers to you forever Ralph.
My Brother Ralph was the consummate “influencer “. Whether he was playing the hits of the 60’s with “The Band’ or displaying his keen sense of fashion (the infamous Mork rainbow vest), Ralph was always setting the ‘trend’. He was the ultimate BIG GUY to all who came to know him… Our lasting bond was forged thru our common loves of Pop Music that started with The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, and ‘those’ dastardly Toronto Maple Leafs., resulting in the creation of 100’s of mix tapes and cds over 40 years, with Ralph as the silent producer in charge. However, I am still waiting on the Leafs and the Stanely Cup ! I will never forget Ralph’s kind gesture to my wife the day after we were married….He picked up some wild flowers from the roadside, on our annual Thanksgiving Walk at the family cottage in Sharbot Lake, and presented them to Janet, welcoming her to the Ayers’s clan. .. October 1991, it really does feel like it was yesterday as I write this. Now that Ralph is finally resting in peace, he should have time to find that missing ‘Chord’ and play it “all of the day and all of the night” long. The house lights upon his stage may have now dimmed a little bit, but they will never go dark, as long as I have him with me in spirit, with every song I play… Say Hello to our brother Charlie for me….We will never forget you….Love Henry and Janet
Ralph was a sincere caring man. I helped me get through my times dealing with my mother’s issues. However I remember him most for his sense of humour, we had a lot great golf trips together. Will miss him. Mark Mcinnes
Wendy and I received the news of Ralph’s passing with tremendous sadness. Ralph fought a long hard battle, a testament to his strength and courage.
Ralph was a true gentleman, a terrific friend and colleague, and was admired by all who knew him.
Ralph was truly a great person, a great personality in so many ways, and a wonderful family man and long time friend. Ralph will be deeply missed.
To Grace and the family we extend our condolences and best wishes.
Wendy and Craig Garratt
My heart goes out to all of you. While I didn’t have the pleasure of getting to know Ralph well because of geography, as a child I do have impressions that I think say a lot about persons character. I remember his smiling eyes and gentle nature. I do remember a bubbly laugh and a kindness that as a shy child, was very much appreciated. Sending love to all.
Our sincere condolences to all Ralph’s family from his Uncle David and cousins David and Rebecca. The three of us have fond memories of Ralph either visiting with family in Toronto or vacations at Sharbot Lake. He was a thoughtful and caring man and we will miss him dearly.
This was the last picture that I could find for our “Lunch That Never Ends” back in 2019. Ralph was always great company, and we will miss him! My condolences to the family and RIP Ralph.
Ralph was the life-long friend, the quiet dependable one, the regular “how’s it going” phone call, the steady
centre who held the team together. He stayed in touch. He kept up with everyone. He was always there.
Thanks to his determined efforts Group Therapy, our high-school rock & roll adventure, lasted a lifetime. Ralph founded, managed and played guitar in the band for the original 4 years and then ensured a decades long encore by staying in touch with everyone individually, organizing annual New Year’s Day conference calls that kept everybody talking to each other and planning multiple reunion jams. He took great pride in our having played the old songs together in every decade from the 60’s on. The circle survived unbroken for a long time but it’s fading away and now, with Ralph gone too, we’ve lost our centre.
For a trip down memory lane try googling the YouTube video below. (We never did find out how it got there, but Ralph found this on YouTube a few years back where it’s been steadily resisting going viral ever since.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quKGy9U42BI
They say you can’t go back but every now and again we gave it a damned good try. We’re gonna miss you Ralph.
Will
Ralph, Gerry and I met in Agincourt at Crown Zellerbach in the mid 1970s. Ralph had a good sense of humour and a positive attitude. He was a natural leader. He was also an exceptional athlete. He skated circles around everyone and could cross country ski like Jackrabbit Johannsen.
After I moved to Ottawa, we cycled in the Gatineau Hills and dove off the rocks into Meech Lake. I was there when Ralph met Grace and that was a fun summer. There were dinner parties, Trivial Pursuit at the cottage and Thanksgiving walks looking for the Orb. And the good times continued after the family moved to my old stomping grounds in Kelowna.
Ralph was always taking pictures and sent copies to everyone, which I still have.
Rest in Peace Ralph. You were my hero and a loyal friend. “Thanks for the memories.”
Deepest Sympathies to Grace and the Family.
Uncle Ralphy was a gem of a man and was one of the really good guys in the industry he worked in. When he first called on me I was a newbie to the industry and took had just opened their first osb mill. All involved were trying to figure out what this stuff was worth and where it could go and through the next decade we had so much fun figuring it all out. He was so fair and treated everyone with respect in a warm hearted way. As I reflect back he was one of the best at his craft and was always quick to laugh at the immaturity that was always present at our large dinners or meetings( I was the immature one along with some of the rest of the customers). We kept in touch through the years and would have a visit when we could and he always maintained that warm heartedness as long as I knew him. I will miss you Ralphy
and I know I speak for many of your old customers out there you were one of the best.
My sincerest condolences to Ralph’s family and friends. Ralph was one of my favourite clients when I was booking his corporate travel. Such a gentleman. Rest in peace Ralph.