Sydney
Our families lost a very special person on Saturday, January 9, 2021 when John Ralph McCormick, age 66, passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.
Born on June 10, 1954 in Glace Bay, Ralph was the son of the late Paul and Ethel McCormick.
In his younger years, Ralph was an avid baseball and hockey player. He went on to work at Devco and J.A. McCurdy Airport until forced into retirement due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ralph received a double lung transplant in Toronto in July 2016 and was “living the dream for two people”. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donation, we were able to enjoy four and half more amazing years with him. Pat and Ralph also went on to become integral members of the local PF & Lung Disease support group. Ralph died of complications unrelated to his lung transplant.
Ralph shared his love of cars, monster trucks and racing with his boys, Justin, Jonathan, Taylor and Jamison from a very young age while Jayden, always technical, would try to keep him “connected to the internet”. To see his softer side, just mention ‘his princess’, Elsie, with those curls and big blue eyes or see him light up at mention of his twin grandbabies.
Nothing brought Ralph more joy than sharing his “little piece of heaven” on the Mira with family and friends, where you’d always be met with a cold drink, a smile and a ride on the river.
His love and devotion to Pat was apparent; they enjoyed the simple things and travelling south. Ralph didn’t let anything stop him from having a good time, always willing to lend a helping hand and didn’t complain a day in his life. A lot could be learned from Ralph’s unbreakable spirit and love of life.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with special thanks to the ICU for their care of Ralph in his time of need.
Ralph was survived by his loving spouse, Pat Dunn Morrison; children, Jonathan McCormick, Justin McCormick (Celia), Laurel MacDonald (Danny), Giselle MacLeod, Devon Morrison (Christie), Logan Morrison (Dave) and Taylor Morrison; sisters, Brenda MacLeod, Glace Bay, Norma McCormick, Sydney and Debbie McCormick, Mira Road; sister-in-law, Myra McCormick, Nfld; grandchildren, Alyssa, Danielle, Jayden, Jamison, Elsie, Sandy and Sadie; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Besides his parents, Ralph was predeceased by his brother, Paul McCormick and brothers-in-law, Dennis MacLeod and Barry Lush.
Memorial Service for the late Ralph McCormick will be celebrated at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating.
Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Mira Boat Club or the Lung Association of Nova Scotia.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Pat/Family- So very sorry for your loss
From: Carol / Basil Ranni
My deepest sympathy to all of you! I knew Ralph as a young boy on the Mira River. Ralph indeed loved Mira!
God is now enjoying his beautiful smile and wonderful personality.
From: Rev. Carol Gillard
So sorry to hear of your brothers passing.
From: Susan Steele
To Ralph’s sister Brenda and all his family our deepest sympathy , may he rest in peace.
From: Mary and Joe Matheson
Brenda and Debbie and family : So sorry to hear about Ralph . Thinking and praying for you during this sad time
From: Sharon Hann (MacKillop)
Sorry for your loss. I remember Ralph from growing up and going to New Aberdeen school. RIP
From: Al MacDougall
Pat & family,
Our sincere condolences on your very great loss . We were so fortunate to have met you both through the heart & lung program! Ralph was a true gentleman and his love of life was inspiring. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time . RIP
From: Lloyd & Kathleen Mac Cormack
Sorry for your loss. I remember Ralph from growing up and going to New Aberdeen school. RIP
From: Al MacDougall
So sorry to hear about Ralph’s passing. I didn’t know Ralph but I am fortunate to have Norma as my next door neighbour. She was devoted to Ralph through his double lung transplant and his months at the Regional Hospital. And Pat was one of the special VON’s who cared for me though a recent illness. My condolences to the family.
From: Marg MacIntyre
Pat and family my deepest condolences on Ralph’s passing. You are in my thoughts! Hugs
From: Paulette Sulliman
Sincere condolences to Brenda, Norma, Debbie and Ralphs’ extended family…
From: Karen and Barry Brewer
Pat,
I was sorry to hear about Ralph’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
From: Sharon MacLeod
Jonathan and Justin, I am so sorry to hear about the death of your wonderful father. He was always such a nice man and he loved you both, very much.
From: Kathryn Cogswell
Pat, Brenda, Norma, Debbie and Family:
Sincere condolences for your loss. We’ve known Ralph for many years and can truly say he was a gentleman in every aspect of his life. He always treated everyone with respect and kindness and he will truly be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May all the fond memories you have of Ralph help you through this most difficult time.
Sincerely Gary & Arlene Peach
From: Arlene Peach
My thoughts are with you today, Pat and dear family, loved ones who so loved and admired such a special man. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Ralph and to share a few special times together with Pat and family members. May you find comfort at this time with family and to hold close the happy times and memories made together.
From: Ramona Bruckschwaiger
Truly sorry for your loss. Ralph always welcomed you with a smile, and had a way to make everyone feel special.
From: Kevin Murphy
Pat & family so sad to hear of Ralph’s passing. We sure did have some great times on the river, lots of laughs and great memories! He will be greatly missed! Big hugs Pat!
Florence & Brent
From: Florence Sutherland
Brenda Norma Debbie and family. We send our deepest sympathy at this very difficult time . Ralph and Barry were great friends. May God bless you all.
From: Barry/Wilma Wadden
I will make sure your princess gets back to your favorite Hacienda in Mexico., and we will keep a candle in the window. Your favorite sister in law, Kitty
From: Kitty Dunn
We are so saddened by the loss of Ralph. You didn’t know Mira without knowing Ralph. He will be fondly remembered . Our deepest condolences to Pat and all the family.
From: Joe and Sabrina Forgeron
Wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead. Our heart goes out to you all.
From: David & Marion Humphrey
Norma , so sorry to hear the loss of your brother .We send our condolences and prayers
To all Ralph’s family – to know Ralph was to love him. His smile made you feel welcome whenever he greeted you, no matter what he was going through. Our memories of time spent with Ralph, even those of 45 plus years ago, will always bring a smile or down right laughter. Is passing is a loss for all, but peace well deserved for a fantastic person.
I am sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing ~ deepest condolences to his family at this difficult time ~ thoughts & prayers are with you all.
To Pat and Ralph’s family.
Ralphie was so loved and admired and his passing leaves an ache in many many hearts. Ralph was the sunset on the Mira and the waves lapping on a Mexican beach… that is how I will remember him, with a mudslide in hand.
Take comfort in your memories….
Debbie and Derek
Sorry about the loss of a good man Ralph was very funny man
I’m so saddened by the news of Ralph’s passing. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour and a laugh and smile that lit up the room❤️ I had the privilege of knowing him and Pat as they were our regular customers at Trio pretty much every Friday night which we all looked forward to seeing them❤️
He will be missed by many.
Thoughts, prayers, and strength to Pat and both of their families. Xoxo
Pat,(&Families. ) Justin, Johnathan (&Families)
We’re very sorry to hear that Ralph passed away
. Know you’re in our thoughts & prayers at this difficult time .
For close to 20 years “Ralphy” had been a buddy to have a sip with, to boat with, and to travel with. But, most of all he had been a best friend; a best friend who always listened and helped me with anything I needed help with. My hope is that there is a bartender up there with a blender of mudslides just waiting for him. Float away my old friend; I will miss you forever.
So sorry sending thoughts and prayers to all his Family and friends
Sending condolences to Ralph’s family. May he Rest In Peace
Sincere condolences to Brenda,Norma,Debbie and Ralphs’ extended family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to pat and Ralph’s family..I had the pleasure of meeting Ralph as a co worker at the airport and was blessed to gain a great friend
You well be missed very much my friend.
R.i.p Ralphy
Pat and Family: We are so sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. May all of your wonderful memories you hold so close to your heart help you to find comfort over the days and months ahead. Please know you are in our thoughts, and in our hearts.
So sorry love to all the family .
Ann & Fred
Pat/Family- So very sorry for your loss
Sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. Such a fine gentleman.
Our deepest sympathy to Ralph’s family and friends. Ralph, you were a true ambassador for the Mira River. You were at your greatest joy when you were on the boat riding along with family and friends. So many laughs and so many memories. “Out on the Mira”, will never be the same without you big guy. Friends from many years ago, but never forgotten… Lyman, Lori, Deanna & Jacob
Brenda and family, so sorry for your loss. From the obit, it said that he never complained and that sounds just like you.
It must be a family trait. I have never meet your brother but I remember how you often spoke of him. Take care and god bless!
My sincere condolences Pat and family. I didn’t get the pleasure of knowing Ralph and by reading all the beautiful compliments about Ralph it was surely my loss. Let your beautiful memories keep Ralph in your lives. Hugs Anita Webb
So sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. Our sincere condolences to Ralph’s family and friends.
So sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.
My sincere condolences to Pat and Ralph’s family
When Ralph told Linda & me that he was facing this ordeal it was a very sad day for us. We never met Ralph that he didn’t bring a smile to our faces & want to spend quality time with him & thankfully we did so. One of the most entertaining people that we have known and always ready to lend a helping hand with a positive smile on his face. I know the closeness of his family ties means sorrow is on your hearts at this time but you will find the place where you can be flooded with positive memories of Ralph that will last the rest of your lives. In our Faith, Linda & I pray that God’s blessings reign over Ralph & his loved ones for eternity. He was a heavenly sort in our books.
Pat and family, so sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. He was a wonderful man, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to get know him through our lung support group. Deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to all his family and friends. I’m sure he’ll be greatly missed by all who knew him. 💕
Dear Pat
Rod and I were saddened to hear of your loss. We only met Ralph a few times but he made an impression of a very kind and gentle soul. He always had a smile.
Warm thoughts
To Ralph’s family We are deeply sorry for the loss of your beloved loved one. i didn’t know him well, but seen his kindness doing things for others without looking for any kind of payment in return. i only wish that there was more people like that in the world. may God comfort and hold you in His loving arms as you morn the lost of a very special soul.
To Pat and all the family Wilfred and I are so deeply saddened by the news of Ralph’s death . Such fighting spirit as he made his way through the lung transplant and recuperation from that ,and now this .We will miss his smiling face and his friendliness to us new to Mira (now 12 yrs ) but its all of you we know are grieving . Sincerest sympathy
My deepest condolences to the McCORMICK family. I will miss looking
Across the river and seeing Ralph out on his boat. A great loss.
pat & family………. so sorry to learn of ralphs passing .
will always remember the last boat ride on the
mira with you & ralph the able skipper .
donnie & sandra smith
Pat & Family
We are so so sorry to here of Ralph s passing. Since the 70’s Ralph has been a good friend & always has supplied some laughs.
Boating was a big part of Ralph & “Foxy Lady” was seen daily on the River back then.
When my daughter Lynn got very sick with JRA at 2 years old & had to go to the hospital in a snow storm, Ralph came with his 4×4 and took her in.
He was a true friend & great guy.
Glenn & Pauline Tutty
Pat, Jonathan, Justin and family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Ralph was great… that sums him up! Always a smile and a great laugh no matter what. He had a unique spin he put on everything, and I will always remember that. Lots of great memories that I will cherish and there will not be a day on the river that we won’t think of him ❤️
I’m very sorry and sad to hear of Ralph’s passing today. I came to know Ralph as a fellow Cape Bretoner from the lung transplant program while in Toronto. He was leaving just as I was arriving, and he and Pat were extremely helpful in getting me and my family settled there. I can see from all the comments he was well loved and will be missed very much. My condolences to Pat and the family.
Tried to find the right words to express the sadness I feel at this devastating loss to our family. But, there comes a time when there are no words. This is the time. I will miss Ralph and that smile, that laugh and those dancing eyes; but ah….. we’ll have the memories!!
My deepest condolences to Pat and Ralph’s family. He was a great guy whose glass was always half full , never complaining about things and always a pleasant guy.
I will deeply miss Ralph, chatting and joking with him.
We lost a great guy on the Mira too
Enjoyed our “talks” while sitting at the bar at Cambridge Suites. Thanks for making me feel at home while I was working there. Ralph was a great guy.