RALPH MANFRED OSTERWALD

It is with profound sadness we announce that Ralph (age 67) passed away unexpectedly at his home in Winnipeg. 

He will be lovingly missed by his mother Inge; sister Karen; son Erik; many friends & neighbours, as well as numerous relatives in Germany. Ralph was predeceased by his dad Paul in 2004 and brother Uwe in 2022

Ralph was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He spent many years living and working in Ontario, as well as, Alberta and later settled in Winnipeg to look after his Mom and older brother before his passing in 2022.    

Ralph graduated with a degree in Business Commerce at the University of Manitoba, before marrying and moving to Toronto where son Erik was born.  Ralph loved being a dad and spent many years volunteering as cub scout leader and coaching Erik’s baseball teams. Ralph’s passion was being outdoors. He loved landscaping; gardening; wood working and carpentry. Ralph had many talents and he could fix almost anything!  From roof shingling; building cabinets; home renovations; basic plumbing; repairing family cars/vans (a skill learned from Dad!); replacing the motor in our old rider mower at the cottage (21 years and it’s still running!); taking down old trees for the wood stove at the cottage, and fixing overworked chains saws! When Ralph set his mind to fixing something, he had an unmatchable drive and determination. Ralph enjoyed helping others without hesitation; whether family, friends and/his or neighbours. Ralph loved being at the cottage and could always be seen puttering about in the garage, garden or yard. He always had a project (or three!) on the go.   

As one neighbor said, Ralph had a true sense of neighbour-liness, a trait lost to many in this modern-day computer age. He was always there to lend a hand and offer gentle reminders on safety when working around table and chain saws; working at heights or ladders and when operating machinery.  Another neighbor shared, I will sure miss Ralph bringing me flowers, not just any flowers, but zucchini blossoms from the family garden! (A favourite in many Italian dishes). When Ralph saw a senior climbing a ladder, he would head straight over and insist on finishing the job to prevent a avoidable fall or injury. (Sometimes he forgot he too was now a senior!) Ralph taught his sister how to paint fences and the cottage with proficiency; how to fix /service the lawn mowers and trimmers and to always (always!) measure your wood twice and cut once!  A few years ago, Karen and Ralph spent the better part of week ‘living’ on the cottage roof, removing and replacing all the shingles. Wow, was that hot! (For the record, Ralph was the one with the technical expertise and Karen was the ‘rookie’ hauler, cutter & shingle placement person!)   

Ralph will be dearly missed by his Mom, Karen & family, as well as, many friends / neighbours, including Josie and Art, Allison & Nicole and Peter.   

Cremation has taken place. (For those that knew Ralph, his favourite ancient cowboy hat went with him). In lieu of flowers, consideration of a donation to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.  

A private service and interment will be held at a later date.

We miss you, Ralph. Job well done – we’ll take it from here.  Rest in eternal peace. 

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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