Obituary of Ralph Longstaff

Longstaff, Ralph Edward ~ Passed away peacefully at his home in Elmira on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the age of 72 years. Ralph Longstaff was the beloved husband of Eleanor (nee Dietrich) for 50 years. Loving father of Kimberly (Nathan) Pape of Elmira, Kelly (Jeff) Haid of St. Clements, and Kathleen (Kelly) Bradley of Elmira. Loved grandfather of Sarah Pape; Jakob and Samantha Haid; Kelsey, Riley and Conner Bradley. Dear brother of Barbara Kerr and Eleanor Lorfing. Lovingly remembered by his sisters-in-law Lynda Longstaff and Meryle Baird, and brother-in-law Alfonso Trevisan. Uncle Ralph will also be missed by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his son David Longstaff (1969), parents Stella (Klein) and Charles Longstaff, sisters Arlene Trevisan and Mary Louise Longstaff, brothers Paul Longstaff and Frank Baird, and brothers-in-law Lorne Kerr and Richard Lorfing. Ralph enjoyed his many years as the “Happy Wanderer” driving tractor trailer for Home Hardware Stores Ltd. His family will receive relatives and friends at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Friday, October 26, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. and at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church, Elmira on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 9 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at the Elmira Legion. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canadian Diabetes Association or Heart and Stroke Foundation and would be appreciated by the family. Service Summary Visitation: Friday, October 26, 2012 from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home and on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 9-10 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church, Elmira ~ Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church, Elmira ~ Donations in Lieu of Flowers: Canadian Diabetes Association (14 Irvin St., Suite 1 Kitchener, ON N2H 1K8 519-742-1481 www.diabetes.ca) or Heart and Stroke Foundation (Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter, 2 - 1373 Victoria St. N., Kitchener, ON N2B 3R6 519-571-9600)