Obituary of J. Ralph McCormick

The North End has lost a charitable and colourful citizen with a big smile and an even bigger heart. It is with profound sadness we announce that the death of James Ralph (Bud) McCormick, devoted and loving husband of the late Bernice McCormick (Henneberry), occurred on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Ridgewood Veterans Wing, South Bay, NB. Born in Saint John, NB on August 7, 1921, he was the son of the late James and Ellen (Connell) McCormick and was step-son of the late Lillian McCormick. He grew up on Clarendon St. in the parish of St. Peters, playing ball beside his beloved church, swimming in Marble Cove and watching the Saint John Beavers glide across the ice in the old Forum. He was educated at St. Peter’s and later St. Vincent’s Boys School. Ralph served his country proudly during WW II with the Royal Canadian Navy on the Flower Class Corvette HMCS Snowberry. He was well known outside of the North End as a bus driver for many Saint Johners, and even a liquor store clerk, but he blossomed as the friendly man in General Delivery for the "Post Office Department of the Government of Canada" and aided in the implementation of a new tool called the Postal Code in the early 1970s. Ralph was honoured to have been asked to sing solo at countless weddings and funerals during his life. He started singing with Mrs. Quigley at St. Peter’s Church and he sang with both St. Peter’s and St. Pius X choirs for many years. It was not uncommon to hear him sing to his always welcomed visitors in his kitchen or on his veranda. He had quite a repertoire and often made up some lyrics to the delight of his family and friends. His loyal dogs (Angel and Duchess I, II and III) would follow him on his daily walks or behind him on his lawn tractor or sit at his feet as he wrote about his day in stylish calligraphy. He was unequivocally devoted to his church, attending mass daily throughout his life, even searching out churches while on shore leave during the war. Ralph’s enduring love was for his family, who will miss his sometimes abrasive but always tender approach to them. He was so proud of his only child Maureen, who he affectionately called "Mo," and couldn’t get enough of her two boys, Brandon and Ryan, but his heart ached since he lost his "Bern" in 1997. Ralph is survived by his daughter, Maureen Humphrey (Jon MacQueen), Saint John, NB; two grandsons: his first born grandson Ryan (Saint John) and Brandon (Halifax; currently serving with the Canadian armed Forces in Afghanistan) Humphrey; close family friend, Roy Snook, brother-in-law Harold Henneberry, sister-in-law Geraldine Scott, several nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews and God-children. He is already missed by his pals Vern, Goldie, Mike, Hal and Mack. He was predeceased by brothers John and Arthur (Rita), one sister Eleanor McKinnon, nephew John Henneberry and special sister-in-law Rita Henneberry. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday from 2:00 - 4:00 and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by his nephew Msgr. Brian Henneberry, VG from St. Pius X Church with Rev. Doug McNeill concelebrating, on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. A Royal Canadian Legion Tribute Service will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.