Dr. Ralph A Hunt

Dr. Ralph Allison Hunt was born in Toronto, Ontario and died peacefully in Canmore, Alberta. He passed away at the age of ninety-seven, surrounded with love and admiration.

Dr. Hunt's long life was characterized by hard work, numerous achievements and love of family.

Ralph's early years were defined by hard work and service. He was raised in Toronto during the depression in a loving home that overcame many hardships. As a teenager, he served his country in the Canadian Army Medical Corps during WWII. After the war, he received a military scholarship to study at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry as a young man.

Ralph met the love of his life, Frances Watson, on the shores of Lake Couchiching, where their families had summer cottages. Married in 1952, Ralph and Fran quickly set to work building a family in Kitchener, raising three children: Peter, Mary and James (Jim).

In the decades that followed, Ralph dedicated himself to providing for his family. He built a successful dental practice that gave his children privileges and comforts he never knew growing up in the great depression. This work, and the gifts that have been derived from it, are a lasting part of his legacy that his family will be forever grateful for.

Ralph lived an active life. He was an avid golfer, first at Westmount Golf and Country Club in Kitchener and later, at the Sugarmill Country Club in New Smyrna Beach. He spent thirty wonderful years travelling to Florida with Fran to escape Canadian winters, where they made many close friends, socialized and traveled.

In the early 1980's following his retirement, Ralph and Fran made their family cottage in Orillia a permanent home. Here, Ralph was deeply connected to, and ever captivated by, the beauty and peace of Lake Couchiching. He enjoyed the work of designing and renovating the cottage and found much happiness in the odd jobs and handiwork that was required to maintain it. Ever present and active, Ralph was a contributing member of the Couchiching Point community until the day he left.

A trademark of Ralph's personality was his soft-spoken nature and easy smile. His lively sense of humour was readily apparent, and he could always be counted on for a good joke to make you laugh. But he was equally defined by his generosity, empathy and compassion. Although his life was full of accomplishment Ralph was always quick to defer credit for individual achievement and instead insisted on good fortune and the grace of God as the source of his success. In times of uncertainty, he drew on faith; in times of conflict he sought forgiveness, and in times of happiness he reached for family.

Independent well into his nineties, it was not until 2019 that Ralph and Fran agreed to leave Orillia and relocate to Canmore. Here, they were well cared for by family, the team from Origin at Spring Creek, Dr. Michael Quinlan and by the Acute Care staff of the Canmore General Hospital.

Dr. Hunt was predeceased by his wife and partner of sixty-eight years, Frances Hunt; sister Marjorie Moir, brother Alexander and parents Allen and Winifred Hunt. He is survived and dearly missed by children Peter (Susan) Hunt, Mary Wilson (Jim), Jim (Kathi) Hunt; grandchildren Jeremy (Alexandra) Hunt, Brendan (Caleigh) Hunt, Kristina Hunt and great grandchildren Elizabeth, Oscar and Hugo, and niece Kathryn McLeod.

Dad, Ralph, Grandpa – congratulations on a life well lived, and thank you for everything you have done for us.

Ralph's memorial service took place at St. Michael's Anglican Church

on Saturday, November 19, 2022 with a lunch at the church hall followed by interment at the Field of Honour, Canmore.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation. https://canmorehealthfoundation.com/donate-1

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.