RALPH PETER (NIK RIVERS)
Date of Passing: February 12, 2015
It is with great sadness that the family
of Ralph Peter announces his passing on
February 12, 2015. Ralph has gone to have
a slice of pizza and a beer with his
beloved father Johann, a dance in the
kitchen with his mother-in-law Jessie or
Momsie as he affectionately referred to
her and finally to sleep in peace with his
two beloved dogs Beau and Hank.
With unbelievably heavy hearts, Ralph
leaves behind his wife Jessie, and his
greatest accomplishment, his biggest, joy,
what he lived for, his son Lane. His
memory will also be cherished by his
mother Stephanie, his brother Norbert
(Lori), and his niece Katrina. He will
deeply missed and lovingly remembered by a
man who laughed with him almost every day,
his best friend and brother-in-law Craig,
his sisters-in-law Diane (Gary), Sharon
(Steve) and their families respectively.
Also close friends who had become family
to Ralph: Jim and Sheila, George, Brett
and Rae.
Ralph had another family, his music
family. Music was Ralph's life and to not
mention his music brothers, would be
remiss. Rob, George, Glen and MJ, the 20
plus years he spent with you were some of
the best times of Ralph's life. There are
so many other musicians that Ralph had the
pleasure and honour of playing with. All
of you touched his life and we know all of
you have many wonderful memories of him.
Ralph was incredibly fortunate to have
been able to live his dream, most can't
say this. At the age of 18 after
graduating from Elmwood High School he
stepped on to a school bus and he never
looked back. He traveled this country from
coast to coast playing music and writing
songs. For the last 15 years of life he
continued to play music while running a
successful carpentry business. Ralph lived
his life with humour, he found humour in
everything he saw and everything that he
did - even at times when he probably
should not have. Everyone who knew him
knew a day would not go by without
laughing when you were with Ralph.
Our home and cottage were always open to
anyone who stopped by. He would be eager
to share a laugh and cook you one of his
famous thrown together meals that tasted
like he had just picked it up at a five
star restaurant. His heart was generous,
in fact too much at times, he put everyone
before himself. If you needed anything you
could call Ralph day or night and he would
be there. The word no was definitely not
in his vocabulary.
Ralph was a husband, a son, a brother, an
uncle, a carpenter, a musician, a
songwriter and friend, but his greatest
achievement the one he spoke of with eyes
that sparkled, was being a father to his
son Lane. He was the dad that told stories
to his son at bed time, the dad that
invented bath puppet at bath time which
made his son laugh hysterically. He was
the dad that drove a crying baby around in
the night, the dad at every soccer game
and piano lesson. No words can describe
his love for his son and we know this love
will bring comfort and peace to him.
The family would like to extend a special
thank you to Ralph's friends, the ones who
reached out to him and his family over the
last few years of his life. You need to
know that you did everything you could for
him and thank you does not adequately
express the gratitude we feel. Uncle
"Eggie" and Aunti Di, we don't know what
we would have done without your love and
support during this time. You know in your
hearts Ralph is thanking you for making
sure that what he treasured most was
watched over and cared for. Ralph would
have done the same for both of you given
the chance.
A private service will be held to honour
Ralph and a celebration of his life will
planned at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, a donation may be made in Ralph's
memory to Status4, a non-profit music
program for at risk youth. Donations can
be made directly on the website through
paypal at www.status4.ca or they can be
mailed to: Status4 Inc., PO Box 37041,
Winnipeg, MB R2M 5M3. Please include a
name and mailing address so an official
tax receipt can be issued.
Ralph is not gone, he will never be gone.
His songs, his soul and his laughter will
live forever in our hearts. His pain is
gone and he can sleep with peace knowing
how deeply he was loved. Knowing he
touched all of us with his love and
friendship, his generous heart and wicked
sense of humour. In the true spirit of
Ralph and knowing that laughter heals all
... I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether
my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal
of meeting me is another matter. Winston
Churchill
As
published in Winnipeg Free Press on
February 21, 2015
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Harlequin
2013
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