Obituary of Ralph Harding

HARDING, Ralph Norman October 29, 1929 - April 26, 2013 Ralph was born in Toronto, ON and died peacefully in Victoria at age 83. Married Connie Farley in 1958 and had 3 daughters, Jane, Celia and Carol by 1964. He was honest, kind, fair, generous, entrepreneurial, business-minded, an artist, an athlete, a poet, a renaissance man. He promoted Canadian recording artists, writers, musicians and brought international theatre and concerts to Canada. By 26 years old he was the National Manager for Quality Records. He built the first record manufacturing company in Western Canada He knew and worked with many great artists such as Pat Boone, Gordon Lightfoot, Silvia and Ian Tyson, Tom Northcott, Johnny Cash, Skylark, The Hudson Brothers, David Foster, Terry Jacks, Burl Ives, Stompin' Tom Connors, The Irish Rovers, The Diamonds and so many more. He is well known for his production of the original song Hockey Night in Canada. Over the years he was a Rotarian, A Mason, A Big Brother and ran for municipal government. He was a member of the Progress Club and the 78th Fraser Highlanders. He played masters level bridge up until the week he died. He loved animals, and they loved him. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Connie, daughters Jane (Rick), Celia and Carol (Nelson), Grandkids Grahame, Michael, Anthony, Mark, Christopher and Nicole. Also his two brothers, Rod (May) and Harry Harding and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 15, 2013 at Summergate Village Club House, 2045 Summergate Blvd, Sidney, BC at 2 pm.