Father Ralph MacKay
After several years of declining health Father Ralph John MacKay passed away at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on October 20th, 2016. Ralph was born on March 22nd, 1950 to Evelyn (Ryan) and Frank MacKay (both of whom have predeceased him) in Winnipeg, Man. Left to mourn him are his brother Brian MacKay, sister-in-law Lana, niece Ashley and nephews Alexander and Cameron in Victoria B.C. He will also be missed by numerous family and friends in Winnipeg, Montreal, Nova Scotia, and Ontario.
After completing studies at St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N.S., and St Paul Seminary, Ottawa, Ralph was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Antigonish in 1978. He later decided to pursue studies for a nursing degree and received his RN degree in 1988. Ralph worked as a nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto for a number of years eventually becoming a labor relations officer for the Ontario Nurses Association.
A funeral mass will be celebrated for Ralph at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 520 Sherbourne St., Toronto on Thursday, October 27th at 10 am. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery, Parliament St. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Ralph’s name to Princess Margaret Hospital or to a charity of your choice.