Obituary for Ryan Seale
RYAN WILKINSON SEALE
October 12, 1929 - November 30, 2020
“He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.”
We have lost this tower of a man in his “92nd” year, as he liked to proclaim.
He leaves behind his very loving partner of 68 years, Hazel Jean (nee Biddle) who was always at his side, and always number 1 in his heart; his devoted children, Hazel Ann (Brad), Janet (Graham), Ryan (Maryellen), Sarah (Michael), and Edward (Kathryn); 15 loving grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He had many wonderful friends.
He was predeceased by his father, Ryan Bertram Seale, in 1929; his mother, Ina Louise (nee Watts) (Seale) Hall, 1968; his brothers Ernest Seale, Leonard Hall and Leslie Hall.
Born and raised in Barbados, he attended St Stephen’s School. He worked at Cable & Wireless in Barbados 1946-1951. He immigrated to Montreal in 1951 to continue a career in sending telegrams by Morse code for Canadian Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (later Teleglobe). In 1965, he was one of 2 chosen by that company from across Canada via an aptitude test to become a computer programmer. He worked in the computer field with Teleglobe for the remainder of his career until retiring at age 55 in 1984.
Our father was a man of many passions - our mother, first and foremost; dancing; reading; a love of “le mot juste” and accurate grammar; his herd of 2nd hand bicycles; woodworking; golf; and returning annually after his retirement to Rockley Beach in his beloved Barbados. There he “held court” on his balcony every evening at sunset, and it seemed that all of Barbados would stop by for a drink, a laugh and a song. He loved cricket and was an avid cricketer. He was a bowler with the Montreal & District Amateur Cricket League during the 1950s and 60s. He remained active his whole life, bicycling until he was 87. At which point, our mother taught him to knit. And during the next 3 years, he made baby hats that are now on the heads of many babies, both present and future. He played cribbage with his darling Hazel, every morning after breakfast for the past 20 years.
Above all, he was a devoted father and family man. He was loving and supportive in everything we did. He attended every event and sports match that we were ever involved in. And this passion for his family, carried on with his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. He taught us all the power of love and support; acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness.
He was well known as a jokester and storyteller, although sometimes needing some censorship! “Have you heard the one about...?”
Many thanks to Beccy Fourney, NP at SVCHC in Cornwall; Alanna Price, his regular home nurse; and Dr. Leigh, his palliative care physician, who made it possible for him to die at home. Also many thanks to the caregivers who gave him such special attention during these last few months of his life.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held in 2021, when we can celebrate his life as he would have us do: gathering together with family and friends, telling stories and laughing, with food and drink overflowing.
October 12, 1929 - November 30, 2020
“He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.”
We have lost this tower of a man in his “92nd” year, as he liked to proclaim.
He leaves behind his very loving partner of 68 years, Hazel Jean (nee Biddle) who was always at his side, and always number 1 in his heart; his devoted children, Hazel Ann (Brad), Janet (Graham), Ryan (Maryellen), Sarah (Michael), and Edward (Kathryn); 15 loving grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He had many wonderful friends.
He was predeceased by his father, Ryan Bertram Seale, in 1929; his mother, Ina Louise (nee Watts) (Seale) Hall, 1968; his brothers Ernest Seale, Leonard Hall and Leslie Hall.
Born and raised in Barbados, he attended St Stephen’s School. He worked at Cable & Wireless in Barbados 1946-1951. He immigrated to Montreal in 1951 to continue a career in sending telegrams by Morse code for Canadian Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (later Teleglobe). In 1965, he was one of 2 chosen by that company from across Canada via an aptitude test to become a computer programmer. He worked in the computer field with Teleglobe for the remainder of his career until retiring at age 55 in 1984.
Our father was a man of many passions - our mother, first and foremost; dancing; reading; a love of “le mot juste” and accurate grammar; his herd of 2nd hand bicycles; woodworking; golf; and returning annually after his retirement to Rockley Beach in his beloved Barbados. There he “held court” on his balcony every evening at sunset, and it seemed that all of Barbados would stop by for a drink, a laugh and a song. He loved cricket and was an avid cricketer. He was a bowler with the Montreal & District Amateur Cricket League during the 1950s and 60s. He remained active his whole life, bicycling until he was 87. At which point, our mother taught him to knit. And during the next 3 years, he made baby hats that are now on the heads of many babies, both present and future. He played cribbage with his darling Hazel, every morning after breakfast for the past 20 years.
Above all, he was a devoted father and family man. He was loving and supportive in everything we did. He attended every event and sports match that we were ever involved in. And this passion for his family, carried on with his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. He taught us all the power of love and support; acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness.
He was well known as a jokester and storyteller, although sometimes needing some censorship! “Have you heard the one about...?”
Many thanks to Beccy Fourney, NP at SVCHC in Cornwall; Alanna Price, his regular home nurse; and Dr. Leigh, his palliative care physician, who made it possible for him to die at home. Also many thanks to the caregivers who gave him such special attention during these last few months of his life.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held in 2021, when we can celebrate his life as he would have us do: gathering together with family and friends, telling stories and laughing, with food and drink overflowing.