Ralph Samuel Collier
January 22, 1939 to April 4, 2023
Obituary
To view the funeral service for the late Ralph Collier on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 2pm, please follow the link below:
Ralph Samuel Collier, 84, of St. John’s, NL, passed peacefully away on April 4, 2023, after a lengthy illness. Ralph leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years and best friend, Bertha (Chafe), and children Diane (Jim Maunder), Brian (Maureen Byrne), and Dana (Roger Thorne).
Ralph was born in Channel-Port aux Basques in 1939 and grew up berry-picking and fishing. In high school, he worked as a stevedore and at 17, just out of school himself, he became both a teacher and a principal. Ralph taught in numerous communities around Newfoundland, finally settling at Mount Pearl Junior High, where he taught English and Drama.
Throughout his life he was a salmon and trout fisherman and spent many hours hiking into the country around the Avalon Peninsula on his own and with his fishing buddy, brother-in-law Bob Wiseman. He had a very special relationship with his brother-in-law Randy Chafe, who was more like a son, and who always had advice and help to offer on Ralph’s many home renovation projects.
Towards the end of his teaching career, he developed a passion for adult literacy and high school equivalency education. These new students revived his love of teaching and learning.
In recent years, Ralph was particularly concerned about global warming and environmental issues, a passion that developed from his love of the natural world. He was an avid reader of mysteries and popular science.
Ralph is predeceased by his parents, Susannah and Stanley Collier; his stepfather, Albert Hann; his siblings Fred, Jack, Florence, Lena, Norman, Harold, and Ruby; brothers-in-law Randy Chafe and Bob Wiseman; sister-in-law Claudine (Leo), stepbrothers Albert A. Hann and Clarence Hann.
He will be remembered for his sense of fun and foolishness by his grandchildren, Amy and Ryan Thorne; Emily, Dawson, and Eli Collier; Abigail Maunder-Collier; his step-grandchildren, Lauren and Ava Gill; and many nieces and nephews.
He will be sorely missed by his sisters-in-law Norma (Bernard) King, Lorraine (Clyde Dalton), Barb Wiseman, Marie Chafe, Ivy Collier and Alfreda Collier; stepbrother Gordon (Rhoda) Hann and stepsister-in-law Shirley Hann.
Ralph’s family would like to thank Dr. Ean Parsons, his doctor of more than 20 years, who always went above and beyond, and Bayshore Homecare for their concern and care while Ralph was at home. In the last few months, the medical staff at the Health Sciences Emergency Department took care of Ralph under most challenging conditions, and finally, when Ralph lived at St. Luke’s, the care he received made it feel like home.
Visitation will take place at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Monday 10 April 2023 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Funeral will be held on Tuesday 11 April 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Carnell Memorial Chapel.
Cremation has taken place. Inurnment to follow at the Anglican Cemetery, Forest Road.
The service will be live-streamed, and the link to view the service can be found on the Carnell’s website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the David Suzuki Foundation: https://davidsuzuki.org/ or the Heart and Stroke Foundation: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/. To send a message of condolence, please visit www.carnells.com.
Schedule
Visitations
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. on April 10, 2023
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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funeral
2:00pm, Tuesday April 11th
The Carnell Memorial Chapel
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
Inurnment to follow in Anglican Cemetery, Forest Road.
Diane and Dana. My sincere condolences on the loss of your dad.
So sorry to hear of Ralph’ passing. I had the privilege of being a colleague of Ralph’s at MPSH in Mt. Pearl. Not only was he a true professional, who affected many students and fellow teachers, but a fantastic person as well. I will always remember that quiet, calm and pleasant demeanour.. Sincere condolences to the family. May pleasant memories sustain you at this time and in the future. Claude Bishop
Rhoda and I watched Ralph’s service. Our condolences to all your family. It was so nice to see all your family,we hadn’t seen Brian since he was a little boy. I was so touched about his life as he and I did a bit of fishing and hunting. He was a great man. As Brian said he never saw him get mad ,not like us lol. I hope he is gone to a better place with no suffering. Bertha stay strong and may god bless. Gord and Rhoda.
Mr. Collier was a standout in my years as a student in Mount Pearl. He was my homeroom and English teacher when I was in eighth grade, and only for that year. That I remember him so fondly nearly 45 years later and am sad for his passing speaks to his lasting impact on young people then and through his career. I remember him well for the way he commanded respect simply by way of his intellect, calm demeanour, and warm nature. He was a lovely gentleman and I am so glad to count him among my favourite and most admired educators.
Bertha, Dana, Diane and Brian and family
Saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing
He was a friend to all.
We Will surly miss him at family gatherings
Keep the happy memories close
To Bertha and family,
My condolences to you and your family Bertha. Ralph was a soft spoken person and I enjoyed our visits over the years. Whether talking about walking on the barrens or trails or his teaching career. After his 1st major illness he recovered well and carried on walking to an extent. Hold your memories of your times together, they should be cherished. Take care
Ean Parsons
Sending hugs and prayers to you and the family, Bertha. Ralph was a wonderful father-in-law and a caring Poppy, and we feel so lucky to have had him in our lives.
Love,
Maria
Bertha, we are saddened to hear of the passing of Ralph.and send our sincere condolences to you and all your family. We have fond memories of both of you from when we lived in the teachers’ apartment in Grand Falls. We especially remember Dianne playing with Sandra in the corridor. We loved them both. Ralph was a very gentle soul with a kind word about everyone and was a well loved teacher. We are sorry we cannot attend the funeral tomorrow but we will be thinking of you and wishing you peace in this time of grief. God bless you.
Very see of Sam’s passing, it sure made me hesitate and reflect. He taught me in Grade 7, in Haddon Academy, Fortune. . We called him Sam, he was warm demanding but funny and caring and a great communicator. Without a doubt, he was the favorite teacher in that time, with a class of forty plus kids. GOD Bless
Dear Bertha & family;
My deepest sympathy on Ralph’s passing. May sharing your heart memories with each other help you through this difficult time. Please know thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Marion Chafe
Bertha and all the family,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Know that he is in a better place, and cherish the memories to hold him in your heart.
Bertha and Families, we are saddened to hear of Ralph’s passing. Our Families have many fond memories of time spent together our the past 60+ years, ones that will be treasured for ever.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone during this most difficult of times. We pray that the many fond memories and the love of your Family and Friends comfort you all.
The Collier Family:
I’m very sorry to learn of Ralph’s passing.It was my pleasure to have been a teaching colleague of his at MPCH and MPJH from 1977 to his retirement. He was well liked and respected by fellow teachers and his students. My sincere condolences to you all.
Sincere condolences on the passing of Ralph. God bless you and your family at this difficult time.
Rip Mr collier ,of all of the teachers I had ,probably the one i respected the most Godspeed sir
Bertha and family just want you to know that our family is thinking of you during this difficult time. Dad and Ralph were life long friends and dad talked of him often. I was shocked when I heard that Ralph had passed. It is almost unbelievable that Ralph and dad grew up together stayed lifelong friends and passed away 3 weeks apart. Our thoughts are with you.
Our condolences for the loss of Ralph: Ralph and Bertha, and their extended, intergenerational family, were an important part of our lives. Sometimes connection is stronger than blood. Every Christmas was at their house until they couldn’t host the crowds, but we remained the best of more-than-friends. From them we learned a quirky everyday humour that is now part of who we are. Much strength in the days to come, and all our love to Bertha and family.
> Love Anna and Henny (and husband, Drew)
To Bertha & family. Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Ralph. We have some fond memories of Ralph at family functions over the years. May all your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
Bertha,
Sending my sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of Ralph. I hope your many years of great memories will comfort you all at this difficult time.
Paula Cramm
To Bertha & family please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Ralph..We will keep you in our thoughts & prayers.Francis & Elizabeth Keating.
Mrs. Collier, Brian, Diane and Families,
My thoughts are with you all and hope that wonderful memories will bring comfort. Janine (Bailey) Mullins
From Ella Bailey – To Bertha and family; my thoughts and prayers are with you on Ralph’s passing.
My condolences to Mr. Colliers family and friends. He was one of my teachers at MPSH, the old school, and he was admired and loved by many students.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Colloer’s passing.. I many fond memories of his kindness, generosity, and humour. He also didn’t mind calling us out on our nonsense.
Condolences to Dana, Mrs. Collier, and the whole family.
Sending love and condolences to Diane, Jim , Abbi and family at this sad time. Hope you can draw peace in good memories.
Diane and family – our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your dad/grandpa. Sending hugs!
To the Collier Family,
On behalf of The Meadows Condominium Corporation, please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one.
Linda Earle, Board Secretary
Bertha and family we are so sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all during this difficult and sad time. Unfortunately we won’t be able to attend the service since we are out of the province. Thinking of you all. Hugs