PETTIBONE, Ralph
1928 – 2025
Ralph Pettibone was born in 1928 in Westlock, Alberta to parents Roswell David Pettibone and Ada Harriet Jewell. He passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Royal Oak Village in Lacombe, Alberta at the age of 97 years.
Dad valued education and attended the University of Alberta to earn his Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), and later his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) at summer school with his wife, Joy in the 1960s.
His thirty-three year teaching career began in 1948 in Rocky Mountain House School Division at Buster Creek School, North of Crimson Lake. He taught in Westlock, then to Red Deer’s Central Elementary School (the “old castle” as Central School was called, destroyed by fire in April 1970) where he became Vice-Principal. He served three years as Principal of South School, then three years as Principal at North Elementary School, and transferred to Mountview Elementary where he served as Principal from 1963 to 1984, retiring in June. Early years were punctuated by his marriage to Joy Arlette (Warner) on March 28, 1959 in Red Deer, followed by the birth of his three children in rapid succession. Having us recite the times-tables at the kitchen table was a skill valued later in life and aligned with Red Deer Public School’s motto (that Dad adopted) “Nothing Without Labour.” Dad let his hair down and recharged during summer vacations pulling our trailer to the lake, to B.C., and once to P.E.I. and back.
His retirement years were occupied with family, reading, volunteering at Gaetz United Church and the Golden Circle, travelling with Joy to North America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and wintering in the Florida Keys, where Dad was happiest. He also attended liberation ceremonies in 1988 at Neufchâtel-en-Bray, France where his brother, Theodore was killed in action in 1944. Dad played tennis into his 80s, saying his personal highlight was winning gold in mixed doubles, and silver in men’s doubles at the 2006 Canadian Senior Games. Dad had a good wit and was a skilled orator, often entertaining family and friends with his speeches on special or formal occasions.
Ralph is survived by his three children: Rosswell (Jennifer) of Lacombe, Alberta and their children, Mica and Glen; Myrna (Jeff) Brown of Calgary, Alberta and their children, Mitchell and Trevor; and Karen (Ron) Cronin of Sherwood Park, Alberta and their children, Kara (Sean) Anastasiadis and their children, Jordan and Emerson; and Daniel and his children, Kiarra and Michael. He also leaves behind his companion, Emily McCrae.
The last of eight children, Ralph was predeceased by his parents, his brothers and sisters, Theodore, Milton, Eunice, Harriet, Ruth, Roswell, Ardyce, and by his loving wife of 47 years, Joy in 2006.
In accordance with Ralph’s wishes, a Private Family Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Royal Oak Village for their care and compassion. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

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• Date : 2025-09-29
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com