George Eric Ramage was born June 12, 1925 to George and Hazel Ramage at Wawota. Eric grew up in a family of 15 and proudly stated that he was number 11. He was educated in the Mountney District and on December 6, 1943 joined the Canadian Army with the Lord Strathcona Horse Regiment. He served in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Continental Europe until September 28, 1946. From 1947-51 Eric farmed and operated a trucking business in Wawota. In 1951 and 1952 Eric bought grain for Saskatchewan Wheat Pool in Sintaluta and Truax. On December 13, 1952 he married Shirley Eileen Cox in the St. John's Anglican Church in Sintaluta. November 28, 1953, Bill was born. Eric worked seismic for United Geophysical as a driller from January 1953 until March 1957. By the time Bill was three years old they had lived in 23 different towns. The seismic workers were known as "Doodlebugs". March 5, 1957 Cheryl was born at which time the family settled in Midale where Eric was employed by Shell Canada Ltd. until his retirement in 1983. They were involved in fund raising committees for the Midale swimming pool, Midale Curling Club and junior hockey. Eric was a member of the Midale Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. In 1986 Eric and Shirley relocated to Wawota where Eric continued to farm until his passing. He loved the land and in his later years spent many hours driving the countryside checking the crops, the cattle and of course his rain gauges. Eric transferred his membership to the Wawota Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and served a term as president. Eric and Shirley were also members of the Mountney Club. Eric loved to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who lit up his life from the time they were born until his passing. Eric enjoyed many activities including playing cards, attending musical functions, going to the casino and attending many Wawota Flyers hockey games and Wawota Pats ball games. One of his favourite things to do was to attend farm auction sales where he always found a box or two of treasures to bring home with him. Eric spent the last four winters in Lake Havasu City, Arizona where he enjoyed his twice weekly aquacize classes and his trips across to the casino in California on the ferry. Eric made many friendships during his time in Arizona and looked forward to rekindling them each year. He also especially loved his trips to the Desert Bar where he proudly took anyone who came to visit. Eric loved to tell a good joke and laughed from his toes up (especially his belly) and would laugh even harder as everyone else laughed at his joke. He was even telling jokes to his neurologist in Minot. Eric passed away peacefully with his family by his side on July 11, 2012 at the Veteran's Ward of the Wascana Rehab Centre in Regina. Eric was predeceased by his parents George and Hazel Ramage, his wife Shirley and his special friend Marjorie (Muggs) Hall. Eric will be forever loved and missed by his son and daughter-in-law Bill and Kathy, his daughter Cheryl, grandchildren, Michael and Sophie Ramage, Krista Ramage and Adam Rozak, Jennifer and Reg Dueck and Tyler Ramage and great grandchildren, Tate and Talon Ramage and Callie and Blake Dueck, who fondly knew him as Papa. Eric will also be missed by Allan and Coralee Brehaut and family. Funeral services were held from the Wawota Town Hall, Wawota on Tuesday, July 17 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Jan Temple-Jones officiating. A private family interment took place at Meridian Cemetery, Wawota. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to: Wascana Rehabilitation Centre, Veterans Unit 3-6, 2180-23rd Ave, Regina, SK, S4S 0A5 or to a charity of your choice in memory of Eric. Sign the online book of condolences at www.carscaddenfuneralchapel.com G.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel, Moosomin Saskatchewan in care of arrangements.
