WILLIAM ALEXANDER RAMSAY

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WILLIAM ALEXANDER RAMSAY In the early hours of February 14, 2018 William Alexander Ramsay, dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend and Scottish piper extraordinaire, joined his beloved wife Helen in eternal rest. He died as he lived his life, with dignity and grace. Bill was 87 years old. He is survived by his daughter Patricia van Rysselt (Lou); his sons: Robert Ramsay (Kathy) and Kenneth Ramsay (Barbara); his grandchildren: Melanie Spulnick (Brent), Lisa Rempel (Garth), Adam Ramsay (Lacey) and Stacey Kent (Allan); his great-grandchildren: Anah and Kevin Rempel, Brandon and Grace Spulnick, Fiona, Caoimhe, Mirren and Edana Ramsay and Hayley and Deklan Kent; his brother-in-law William Majeski as well as many dear friends and relatives. Bill was predeceased by his wife Helen in 2016, his mother Willamina Ramsay in 1989, his father James Ramsay in 1977, his brother James Ramsay in 1970 and his sisters-in-law Norma Majeski and Elsie Denchak. Bill was born November 12, 1930 to James and Ina Ramsay and lived all his life in Winnipeg. When he was a young boy he enjoyed gymnastics and performing in the operettas in high school. Scouting was his passion and he earned the high honours of becoming a King's Scout, receiving a Bushman's Thong and Silver Wings, a wartime badge earned for 100 hours of support services for the war effort. He continued in scouting for many years becoming a Camp Warden at Gilwell in 1948. He opened a cub pack in East Kildonan with Harold Granke which they ran successfully for many years. Bill joined the Robertson Memorial United Church Congregation in his earlier years where he taught Sunday school and was a member of the Young Peoples Group. He met Helen when they led a Cub and Scout Camp at Rabbit Lake and a beautiful 67 year romance began. Helen and Bill were married on August 18, 1951. Patsy was born in 1952, then Bobby in 1954 and Kenny in 1958. He later joined Wesley United and became a board member and an active participant in church activities. Bill was very proud of his Scottish heritage and one of his greatest joys and accomplishments was playing the bagpipes. He was well respected in the Scottish community for his extraordinary skills in playing and teaching others to play. He marched in hundreds of parades with many bands from the St. John's Pipe Band to the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and finally to the Anavet 60 Pipes and Drums. He made many true lifelong friends along his journey. He directed and taught the Heather Belle Ladies Pipe Band for many years. They travelled to Moose Jaw, Minneapolis, Florida and the big trip to Scotland where they competed in the World's Pipe Band Championship. Bill started as a linotype operator in the printing industry at Reid and Eibner, worked hard and ended his career as the Manager of Western Canada, Marketing and Sales for Public Press, a division of United Grain Growers Limited. After 40 years of dedicated service to the printing industry he retired and built his dream cottage at Great Falls. Bill, along with Helen, turned it into a paradise with beautiful trees and flowers and a place where the kids loved to swim, boat and ski. Many a pipe band fiesta was held at the cottage after the July 1 celebration parade in Lac du Bonnet. Bill and Helen loved to travel. They visited Scotland, England, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Italy, all across Canada and the United States. They motored to Arizona for many years where they joined friends each winter and the bagpipes would sing down the main streets of Tucson. Bill's family was his pride and joy. He attended Scottish dance competitions, hockey games, music concerts, guide and scouting events, drumming competitions and whatever else any of his children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren were into. His kind and gentle manner made him loved wherever he went. Bill missed Helen immensely and his health deteriorated after she passed. A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main St. Interment and reception will follow. The family would like to thank St. Joseph's Residence for the kindness and compassion they gave to Bill over the last two and a half years. A special thank you goes out to all his lifelong piping friends who always came to visit and light up his spirits. Much love and thanks goes out to Harold Granke, a lifelong friend who never missed a Wednesday afternoon with Bill. He so looked forward to those visits. Bill is finally at peace, together again with his beloved Helen. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 17, 2018