Ralph Joseph White Sr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ralph Joseph White Sr on the 12th of August, 2022. He died peacefully at the almost ripe age of 73 engaged in one of his favourite hobbies: napping.

Ralph is survived by his children: Ralph Jr of Montreal, QC; Walter (Sandi) of Liverpool, NS; Johnnie of Stephenville, Patricia (Octave) of Marches Point, and Joanne of Stephenville.

He also leaves his wife Philippa Sohier of Guelph, ON, and his beloved GiGi, who he wouldn’t sell for a million dollars!

Missing their weekly chocolate bars and/or Timbits are his grandchildren: William, Hogan, Ella, Zachary, and Jacob.

Ralph is also survived by his loving mother Mildred Lane and her lifelong partner Roddie of Stephenville (whom he visited regularly every Sunday around mealtimes), as well as his sisters Helene (Sammy) Brown of Tulsa, OK; Luella (Michael) of Benoit’s Cove; and brother Charlie White of Fort McMurray, AB.

He was predeceased by: his brother Bobby White, and his father Duncan White.

Ralph was born on January 16th, 1949 in Stephenville, NL to Mildred (Jesso) and Duncan White, and was raised in Marches Point by his doting grandparents Amelia Jane Benoit and Walter Jesso. He attended vocational school in Corner Brook and obtained certificates for barbering and book keeping…they did not teach penmanship.

He began carving a reputation as a business man at a young age, starting out as a bootlegger (FYI, the statute of limitations has passed on that). Since then he’s worn many hats: taxi driver, marine cut barber, store keeper, used car dealer, tow truck driver, scrapyard owner, and metal recycler. He’s also been called many names but we won’t list them here.

For many years Ralph was a member of the Knights of Columbus, he served on the Port Au Port District school board, and was a member of the Our Lady of the Cape Parish council. He also held the distinction of having the most skunk trophies in darts.

Ralph’s favourite things in life were good food and good company, he was stubborn as a mule, and so set in his ways you could set your watch by him. He planned to live until he was 102 and we’re sure he’s not too pleased with not getting his own way.

Another favorite of Ralph’s was enjoying a good bottle of wine (and sometimes something a little stronger) with friends, especially his good buddy George.

Most people who visited the garage know how Ralph liked to keep his office hot as an oven, so cremation has already taken place. A memorial service will take place at Our Lady of the Cape church on Saturday, August 20th at 10:30 am. The family would like to invite all of Ralph’s family and friends to come, tell a joke perhaps, and have a free lunch in his memory.

And don’t worry dad, we’ve checked, checked, double checked, and checked again.