McCORMICK, John Ralph Sydney
Our families lost a very special person on Saturday, January 9, 2021 when John Ralph McCormick, age 66, passed away at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney. Born on June 10, 1954 in Glace Bay, Ralph was the son of the late Paul and Ethel McCormick. In his younger years, Ralph was an avid baseball and hockey player. He went on to work at Devco and J.A. McCurdy Airport until forced into retirement due to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Ralph received a double lung transplant in Toronto in July 2016 and was “living the dream for two people”. Thanks to the generosity of an organ donation, we were able to enjoy four and half more amazing years with him. Pat and Ralph also went on to become integral members of the local PF & Lung Disease support group. Ralph died of complications unrelated to his lung transplant. Ralph shared his love of cars, monster trucks and racing with his boys, Justin, Jonathan, Taylor and Jamison from a very young age while Jayden, always technical, would try to keep him “connected to the internet”. To see his softer side, just mention ‘his princess’, Elsie, with those curls and big blue eyes or see him light up at mention of his twin grandbabies. Nothing brought Ralph more joy than sharing his “little piece of heaven” on the Mira with family and friends, where you’d always be met with a cold drink, a smile and a ride on the river. His love and devotion to Pat was apparent; they enjoyed the simple things and travelling south. Ralph didn’t let anything stop him from having a good time, always willing to lend a helping hand and didn’t complain a day in his life. A lot could be learned from Ralph’s unbreakable spirit and love of life. The family would like to thank the staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital with special thanks to the ICU for their care of Ralph in his time of need. Ralph was survived by his loving spouse, Pat Dunn Morrison; children, Jonathan McCormick, Justin McCormick (Celia), Laurel MacDonald (Danny), Giselle MacLeod, Devon Morrison (Christie), Logan Morrison (Dave) and Taylor Morrison; sisters, Brenda MacLeod, Glace Bay, Norma McCormick, Sydney and Debbie McCormick, Mira Road; sisterin-law, Myra McCormick, Nfld; grandchildren, Alyssa, Danielle, Jayden, Jamison, Elsie, Sandy and Sadie; as well as multiple nieces, nephews and numerous friends. Besides his parents, Ralph was predeceased by his brother, Paul McCormick and brothers-in-law, Dennis MacLeod and Barry Lush. Memorial Service for the late Ralph McCormick will be celebrated at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Friday, January 15, 2021 at 5 p.m. with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. Donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to the Mira Boat Club or the Lung Association of Nova Scotia. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences can be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com.