ESBAUGH, Ralph Joseph
October 30, 1935 – September 20, 2019
Peacefully and comfortably surrounded by his loving family at the Brantford General Hospital at the age of 83 years. Son of the late Joseph and Agnes Esbaugh. Beloved husband of the late Rosaleen (Bell) (1998). Loving father of David (Martina), Brian (Gloria), Joanne (Cory) and Mary McElhone (Dave). Doting grandfather of Kristin (Cody), Hailey (Matt), Sierra (Justin), Laura and Sarah. Dear brother of the late James (late Anne), Cecilia Schooley (Paul), Cyril (Margaret), Marie Boone (Edwin), Roy (Susan) and the late Barbara Ann. Cherished uncle and great uncle to many nieces and nephews. Ralph was born in Kitchener and was raised there and in La Salette, Ontario. He attended Our Lady of La Salette Elementary School, Delhi High School and Wilfrid Laurier University where he played varsity football and received his bachelor’s degree in business. Ralph became a high school teacher, beginning his career at Wiarton District High School where he single-handedly created the school’s first physical education program. He also taught at Brantford Collegiate Institute and St. John’s College where he was head of the physical education program and taught many other subjects (he even did a short stint teaching French – we’re still not sure how he pulled that one off!). Ralph coached and led numerous football, basketball, gymnastics, golf, badminton and other sports teams to city, regional and provincial championships. In his own right, Ralph was a member of the Brantford Saints senior men’s basketball team that won the Ontario championship in 1974 and was inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition in 2013. He and Rosaleen volunteered for a number of charitable organizations, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society. Following his retirement, Ralph remained a very active member of his community, continuing to play trombone with the Brantford Memorial Concert Band, singing with the Simcoe Gentlemen of Harmony and playing countless rounds of golf. Ralph never rested on his laurels (he obtained his motorcycle licence in his 70’s) and was well travelled in Canada, United States, Caribbean and Europe. There was nothing left unchecked on his bucket list (except perhaps that Jag he always pined for). He made a positive, indelible impact on family, friends, colleagues and students over his well-lived lifetime and will be greatly missed. Family and friends will be received at the TOLL FUNERAL HOME, 55 Charing Cross St. Brantford, on Thursday, September 26th 2019 from 5-8 p.m and again the following day at La Salette Historic Church, 88 LaSalette Rd, La Salette Ontario, Friday, September 27th from 6-9p.m. A funeral mass will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michaels Church, 978 St John’s Rd W, Simcoe Ontario. Donations on behalf of the family appreciated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Brantford Memorial Concert Band, The Simcoe Gentlemen of Harmony or the Brantford General Hospital Palliative Care Unit. www.tollfh.ca
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Friday September 20th 2019
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ralph Esbaugh..
Décès pour la Ville:Brantford, Province: Ontario