Obituary of Ralph Rafael Karon

KARON, Ralph R. 1938-2006 C.A, M.B.A. After a year long battle with pancreatic cancer and taken from us too soon, Ralph passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Wednesday, May 31st, 2006. He is survived and will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. Devoted husband to his high school sweetheart Irene and loving father to three children Kim, Ann and Ted. Loving son to Kurt, son-in-law to Madeliene, brother to Dan and brother-in- law to Rita. Supportive father-in-law to Edward Reszetnik and Lesley Karon, and wonderful grandfather to Grace, Ryan and Rebecca. Uncle to Irene and Kevin. Predeceased by mother Irene. Born 1938, Ralph dedicated his life to work and family. He obtained his C.A. designation and graduated from Sir George Williams University with a degree in Economics. From there he then attended Columbia University earning an M.B.A. in Finance. Ralph successfully climbed the corporate latter to the executive suite through corporations that included Arthur A. Crowley & Co., Price Waterhouse & Co.; Exxon Corporation; Imperial Oil; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; North American Life Assurance; Prudential Insurance Company of America and Parmalat Canada. Ralph retired in 2003. In addition to a successful and busy career, Ralph was a devoted volunteer and supported his neighbourhood church, St. John's York Mills Anglican Church, as well as the United Way of Greater Toronto, the Red Cross Society, The Toronto Symphony and the Toronto Board of Trade. An active sportsman, Ralph enjoyed badminton, windsurfing, tennis and skiing. For the past few years much of his retirement was spent north of Toronto at the family cottage near Parry Sound. Ralph loved to spend time there with family and friends enjoying the outdoors and ''puttering'' about. Thanks to Dr. Y. Ko and Dr. C. Law at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Hospital for all their efforts. The family will receive all friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME, 1403 Bayview Ave. (south of Eglinton Ave.), from 4-7 p.m. on Friday June 2nd. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 12 o'clock with the funeral to follow at 1 p.m. in St. John's York Mills Anglican Church, 19 Don Ridge Drive (North of York Mills Rd. and East of Yonge St). In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Ralph was a pillar and foundation for our family and will be in our hearts forever.