In Celebration of
Ralph Gordon Swail
April 26, 1928 - May 2, 2023
It is with a heavy heart that Ralph’s loving family bid him his final farewell. He passed away on May 2nd, 2023 at the Toronto Grace Hospice Centre. He had just celebrated his 95th birthday.
Ralph was the eldest son of the late Wesley and Victoria (Snary) Swail. His dad was a Queen’s Counsel lawyer, University lecturer and entrepreneur. His mom ran the household and took care of Ralph and his brothers, Ron (Wilma) and Wesley (Eileen).
Ralph studied Actuarial Science at the University of Manitoba. He worked as an actuary at Great West Life in Winnipeg where he met the love of his life, Audrey Florence Vaughan. They married on June 7th, 1955. Together they built a loving family, Douglas (Sharon), Wesley (Diane) and Ron (Susan).
Ralph, always a math whiz, had a lengthy and successful career as an actuary. His work took him from Winnipeg, through Ancaster, New Jersey, Montreal and finally to Toronto. He held positions as an employee and an executive. He later went on to develop his own business and finally retired at 76.
Ralph was a bridge player, enjoyed golf, made friends wherever he went and was often known as the life of the party. He loved telling stories and had a warm sense of humour. He was a voracious reader, especially of the Economist magazine. Ralph and Audrey traveled extensively and were renowned for the New Year’s Eve parties they hosted.
Ralph and Audrey lived the majority of their time in Toronto, but spent many happy years at their Muskokan cottage. There, they surrounded themselves with their cherished grandchildren Amy, Chloe, Leah, Mike, Simone, Ashley, Samuel, Jordan, Brendan and Jason. Ralph’s love extended as a great-grandfather to Grace (deceased), Lafia, Mateo, Djoa, Isla, Victoria, Aiden, Naomi and Niamh. Ralph will be dearly missed.
Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of Ralph’s life will occur at a later date.
For those who wish, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to any charity of your choice.
Ralph was the eldest son of the late Wesley and Victoria (Snary) Swail. His dad was a Queen’s Counsel lawyer, University lecturer and entrepreneur. His mom ran the household and took care of Ralph and his brothers, Ron (Wilma) and Wesley (Eileen).
Ralph studied Actuarial Science at the University of Manitoba. He worked as an actuary at Great West Life in Winnipeg where he met the love of his life, Audrey Florence Vaughan. They married on June 7th, 1955. Together they built a loving family, Douglas (Sharon), Wesley (Diane) and Ron (Susan).
Ralph, always a math whiz, had a lengthy and successful career as an actuary. His work took him from Winnipeg, through Ancaster, New Jersey, Montreal and finally to Toronto. He held positions as an employee and an executive. He later went on to develop his own business and finally retired at 76.
Ralph was a bridge player, enjoyed golf, made friends wherever he went and was often known as the life of the party. He loved telling stories and had a warm sense of humour. He was a voracious reader, especially of the Economist magazine. Ralph and Audrey traveled extensively and were renowned for the New Year’s Eve parties they hosted.
Ralph and Audrey lived the majority of their time in Toronto, but spent many happy years at their Muskokan cottage. There, they surrounded themselves with their cherished grandchildren Amy, Chloe, Leah, Mike, Simone, Ashley, Samuel, Jordan, Brendan and Jason. Ralph’s love extended as a great-grandfather to Grace (deceased), Lafia, Mateo, Djoa, Isla, Victoria, Aiden, Naomi and Niamh. Ralph will be dearly missed.
Cremation has taken place. A private celebration of Ralph’s life will occur at a later date.
For those who wish, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to any charity of your choice.