Born on October 27, 1943, in Tay Creek, NB, he was the son of the late William and Pearl (Dorcas) Tomilson. He was predeceased by his parents and brother Ron Tomilson (Jenny - deceased).

He leaves behind his wife, Theresa Tomilson, Windsor, Nova Scotia; daughters, Kirsten Tomilson, Middleton, Nova Scotia; and Lindsay Mailman, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia; sisters, Margaret Knox (Len - deceased), Charlottetown, PEI; and Heather Williams (John - deceased), Belleville, Ontario. In addition to many loving nieces (great) and nephews (great) and all the extended family members who won his heart.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ralph Tomilson, who left this world unexpectedly and peacefully on March 20, 2025, at the impressive age of 81. He lived a life that was filled with adventure and tenacity. Always taking the path less travelled, including when he skied, a sport he adored.

Ralph was a man who lived life with the unapologetic zeal of someone who had mistakenly taken a double shot of adrenaline before each adventure. Born to dazzle in 1943, Ralph graduated with honors in 1968 from Mount Allison University, earning his Masters in Chemistry, a field he would promptly realize wasn’t nearly as exciting as building businesses from the ground up. Everything that Ralph touched he excelled at.

Ralph kicked off his illustrious career with CIL in Calgary, where within nine months, he was promoted to Western Development Manager. Perhaps it was the caffeine from too many coffee breaks, but he quickly learned that he excelled not just in chemicals but in everything he dabbled in—like building homes, opening restaurants, and, of course, creating many happy memories. In 1971, Ralph welcomed his daughter Kirsten into the world, a true highlight that was far more rewarding than any corporate ladder. Kirsten became his trusty sidekick, embarking on solo adventures that included everything from skiing the slopes to attempting all the ridiculous adrenaline-pumping activities they could find. Who needs a promotion when you can dodge avalanches with a toddler?

In a plot twist worthy of a sitcom, Ralph dabbled in pancakes and fried eggs by opening the Range Grill, where he entertained patrons while flipping eggs rather than catalysts. After mastering the restaurant scene, he returned to his entrepreneurial roots, creating Catalyst Services, a company that no one in the refining and petrochemical industries could resist—it was “One Hell of a Company!”

From starting the notoriously popular Lucky Penny Pizza in both Hawaii and Cochrane, Alberta, to opening Money Mart in Toronto, he also built a successful career in real estate. Not afraid of a challenge, he launched a high-end restaurant, the Pheasant Plucker, in Cochrane, which quickly became the place to be. He also built The Knot Pub in Lunenburg, NS. His interests were so varied; from diving into the ocean depths, sailing the high seas and having the best green thumb, Ralph was a true Renaissance man.

Throughout his life, Ralph was not only a businessman but a diver extraordinaire. He built the pool and dive shop in Lunenburg and became a certified diving instructor, trained in California. In a bold move, he sank the HMCS Saguenay, a task many might have considered taboo but was clearly “just another Tuesday” for Ralph.

In 2005, he married Theresa Tomilson and gained another beautiful daughter with Lindsay. Together they surveyed new blooms in the garden, watched birds, laughed until their cheeks hurt, and discovered the magic of fireflies. Through Ralph, Lindsay learned the true depth and breadth of a Fathers unconditional love. Theresa was the love of Ralph’s life, and together they built a cozy home in New Russell, his fourth house he built with his own hands that could compete with any home in terms of character and charm. Ralph loved carpentry and was a well-established finished carpenter who loved the beauty of wood and working with it to create beautiful pieces. He could literally “MacGyver” anything to make something work. He always loved a challenge.

Ralph lived a high-octane life from the green flag to the checkered flag. From his early years of auto racing to pursuing and establishing an exhilarating diving career in middle age. He decided to hang up his skis and surrender the thrill of the black diamond runs at 75 years of age only to jump out of a plane at 76. In recent years his summer sailing days for R&R (Ralph and Rubin) were most satisfying for him when there was a threat of a headwind that could blow them off course.

All who knew Ralph will remember him not just for his remarkable career or his knack for making ventures work, but for his infectious laughter, his larger-than-life attitude and his unfailing belief that life is best lived one glorious, chaotic adventure at a time. He also gave the biggest and warmest of hugs. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and the many people who were lucky enough to experience the charm and magic of all the establishments he created throughout his life.

We ask that you raise a glass of your favorite beverage in memory of Ralph, (he always enjoyed a glass of rum with a wee bit of Coke) a trailblazer, a chef, a diver, a carpenter and above all, a beloved father, husband, and best friend. Cheers to you, Ralph! May your next grand adventure be as adventurous as your life here.

There will be a celebration of life in early September further details to be announced at a later date.

Oh, write of me, not “Died in bitter pains.” But “Emigrated to another star!” ~ Helen Hunt Jackson, Emigravit