October 29, 2021
Hope resident Ralph Wallace passed away on October 29 at age 64. He was born and raised in East Vancouver. Ralph grew up playing sports especially football and had a passion for working on and owning muscle cars. His graphic talents lead to him becoming an artist.
He started working at age 14, owned his own roofing company and later earned an engineering degree.
Ralph was a kind, compassionate, thoughtful, polite and intelligent man. A good son and hard worker.
Ralph had a bad workplace injury which was followed by a car accident that lead him to taking pain pills then on to temporarily using street drugs. These drugs lead him to addiction and isolation. He always tried and hoped to stop the drugs. A few folks tried to help stabilize Ralph so he could stop, however the powerful drugs won and Ralph lost his life to them.
He cared about others and fully vaccinated. "I did it for others to help them even if I can't help myself."
If Ralph could tell anyone about street drugs, he would say, "best if you never take or start. They are so powerful they take away your heart, soul, mind and then your life. Don't start or do what I could not do...STOP."
Ralph had many friends. A celebration of his life will be held in the Spring.
He is survived by his brother Andrew.