Ralph Rathwell Quadling
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ralph Rathwell Quadling on Thursday, June 6, 2013. After undergoing treatment for throat cancer, his health, unfortunately, declined steadily. He is greatly missed by the love of his life, Hazel,
and his four children: Carolynn Read
(Glen); Debbie Aardema (George); Phil
Quadling (Vicki); and Ralph Quadling Jr.
(Kimber). He is predeceased by his older brother, Bill Quadling. Ralph was born in Chilliwack on May 22, 1932 in Chilliwack, the fifth child of Harry and Phyllis Quadling, and grew up with
two brothers (Bill and Vern) and two sisters (Olive and Frances) on Longacres Jersey Farms, which he operated throughout his working life. In those many years, Ralph established a
reputation as a hardworking, principled, and professional
farmer, recognized as an esteemed member of the Jersey Club of BC, for which he acted for a term as President. He was recognized for his excellence by being presented with the Master Breeder award. He “retired” from active farming
in the early 1990’s, but still “put his boots on” for many years thereafter. Ralph was committed to the Fraser Valley agricultural community and was involved with the Sumas Prairie Historical Society and contributed to two books: “One Foot on the
Border” and “Pioneer Stories, 1890 - 1950”. This showed his love for reading, and even though you’d never find a fiction book in his hand, he was very knowledgeable about regional and
Canadian history and international issues. He was a dedicated family man who dearly loved “his Hazel”…they were everything to each other and would have
celebrated their 62nd anniversary on June 8. He enjoyed his Sunday afternoon family times over a good cup of coffee and the delicious cookies and cakes lovingly prepared by Hazel. He loved being visited by family and was blessed with seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren (with one on the
way). Ralph enjoyed family meals around the big table and, later in life, became quite a culinary help in the kitchen. Ralph and Hazel enjoyed getting together with “the gang”,
a group of couples who met regularly in each other’s homes and shared good times. He had a tremendous love for nature: from the magnificent mountain and valley views of his farm
setting; to the annual spring fishing trip to Bridge Lake; to the
“travel bug” they had for cruising, Jersey Club trips to Great
Britain, Australia, and New Zealand and family trips to other beautiful places.
Ralph was always generous in his financial support of his chosen charities: The Cancer Research Institute (www.cancerresearch.org); Children’s Hospital (www.bcchf.ca); and
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (www.ccfc.ca). At his request, there will be no funeral service. Rather, there will be a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to one of Ralph’s favourite charities (or
one of your own) in his name. Dear Ralph and Dad: you will be greatly missed by us all. Love: your family