J. Ralph Hubbard — Halifax

HUBBARD, John Ralph – age 75 of Amirault’s Hill, Yarmouth Co., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Thursday, February 14, 2019 in hospital after a brief illness. Born April 9, 1943, he was one of four children born to the late Adolphe and Evelyn Hubbard. Ralph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all who knew him. Ralph worked as a cook for CN Marine/Marine Atlantic for most of his adult life, sailing aboard the Bluenose and Marine Evangeline before hanging-up his apron in October 1997. Ralph loved many things: he loved to read and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning; he loved hunting, especially duck and rabbit, and often made the walk from his backyard to the marsh in order to spend his day hunting game; he also loved his wood heat and kept his house “toasty” throughout the winter. Ralph’s greatest love however, was that of his family. Ralph was a man of few words, but we all knew that he was proud of each and every one of us and loved us dearly. Even though he was taken from us much earlier than expected, we knew that he would one day be gone. The idea is not to live forever, but rather to create something that will. Say not in grief that “he is no more”, but in thankfulness that “he was”. Apart from being predeceased by his parents Adolphe and Evelyn, Ralph was predeceased by a brother Elmer and a sister Verly. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Eileen (LeBlanc); children Geraldine (Eric) Boucher, Gerald (Lynn) Hubbard and Amanda (Robert) MacCormack; a sister, Geraldine (Walter) Queenan, as well as by three grandchildren, Monique, Natalie and Luc and many nieces and nephews. Visitation took place from 7 to 9 Tuesday evening with prayers at 8 p.m. at H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home, 29 Albert Street, Yarmouth. A Funeral Mass was held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 20 from Saint Anne’s Catholic Church, Ste. Anne-du-Ruisseau, Father Albeni d’Entremont officiated. Interment followed in the parish cemetery. Donations in memory of Ralph may be made to the Gilles Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund or to Saint Anne’s Church Building Fund. You may sign the online guestbook or leave messages of condolence for the family by visiting www.huskilson.net