Ralph Realm Weick

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ralph Realm Weick on November 26, 2022 in Smithers BC at the age of 85. Ralph was predeceased by his parents Ralph Weick and Teofila (Hart/Huff) Weick, his brothers Josef Huff(Eileen) and Tedford Huff (Rilla), and sisters Mary Mckinley(Art), Dorothy Heinricks (Bill), Gertrude Stubbert (Peter) and son Dwayne Arthur Weick.  He leaves behild his loving wife Edith of 66 years, his daughters Tracey (Earl) Hague of Nanoose Bay, Sharon (Gary) Eastabrook,  Debbie (Heath) Walton of Smithers and son Ralph (Jackie) of Prince Rupert, brothers Milford (Marg) Weick of Abbotsford and Gary Weick of Prince Rupert. Grandchildren, Erin, Shannon(Ross), Matthew (Julie), Gregory, Adrienne (Damian), Cole (Tamia), Kyle, Nolan and Sydnee. Great Grandchildren, Scarlett, Liliana, Eleanor, Rosalee, Jameson, Michael and Mikennzie. He also leave behind many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Ralph was born on November 2, 1937 in Minitonas Manitoba. The family left Manitoba and traveled by train to Prince Rupert BC arriving in October 1942. He was born with an entrepreneurial spirit and started working odd jobs at a young age selling newspapers and shoveling grain to help support his family. In 1953 he went to work on the C.G.S. Alberni taking supplies to lighthouses.  In 1955 he left Prince Rupert and moved to Smithers BC where he met Edith while working as a short order cook at the Meadowland Café. They married in 1956 and moved back to Prince Rupert. After doing a variety of jobs Ralph took a full time job with Vans Bakery. In 1959, Ralph signed up with the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves and served for 2, 5 year engagements. He was honorably released in 1969. In 1963 he bought a business he named Ralph’s New Stand and shortly after that started Ralph’s Delivery Ltd. Ralph and Edith were long time members of the Prince Rupert Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs.  In 1965 Ralph and some friends bought Vans Bakery and they made and delivered bread around the Pacific Northwest. Vans Bakery closed in 1970 and Ralph went commercial fishing for 7 years. In 1977 Ralph was awarded a Medal of Bravery for his part in a 1975 rescue of a lady off the rocks of a breakwater in a storm near Steveston, BC. In 1977 Ralph became the dealer of a Chevron gas station, Ralph’s Self Serve  and added a second Chevron gas station in Thornhill in 1984. In 1985 he bought Midway Grocery and sold it in 1988 to the current owner. In 1989 Ralph sold his gas stations in Prince Rupert and Thornhill and he and Edith bought a home on Francois Lake where they planned to semi retire. At this time, Chevron built a new gas station in Houston BC where Ralph and his son ran it for 18 months. In 1992 his daughter Sharon and husband Gary bought the old Phillips and Shepard store in Telkwa where Ralph came to work and helped them in the business. In 1996 they went into partnership together and bought Van’s News in Smithers and a year later opened a second location in Terrace. In 2002 Ralph made the decision to retire.  He and Edith spent 12 years living on Francois Lake before selling and moving into Smithers so they could be closer to family.

Ralph loved life and lived it to the fullest.  Every day was a new adventure. His family and his friends were very important to him. He looked forward to hunting, camping and fishing trips with his family but also enjoyed family time at home playing games, having a barbeque or just sitting around a fire outside with his music playing on his old cassette deck.

He loved to spend time with his grandchildren when they were growing up.  Whether they were building something in the workshop, fishing, hunting, working in the garden or going on adventures, he always gave them the space and encouragement that helped turn them into the people they are today.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

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