SHIDELER, RALPH LARSEN - The death of Ralph L. Shideler, age 89, occurred at his home, The Ridgewood Veterans Hospital on Thursday December 11, 2008. He was predeceased in 2000 by his wife of 58 years, Florence (DeYoung) Shildeler. Born in Cardston, Alberta the son of the late Elmer H. Shideler and Regina (Larsen) Shideler, Ralph resided in Alberta and British Columbia until 1939, at which time he enlisted in the Canadian Navy and spent the next six years on the North Atlantic as a telegraph operator on the corvettes Aggasiz and Wetaskiwin. He was honorably discharged from the navy on his birthday, July 12, 1945. Following the war, he moved his family to Nova Scotia where he assumed a position as telegraph operator/technician with Canadian Pacific Telecommunications, a career he held until his retirement. Ralph's favorite hobby for most of his life was ham radio, a pastime which allowed him to maintain his Morse code skills while communication regularly with his radio friends around the world. Ralph is survived by his children Joan Shideler of Montreal, Pauline O'Leary of Ottawa, Victor Shideler (Pierrette) of Carleton, Ontario, Barbara Horgan (Fred) and Helen Shideler (Gary Hall) of Quispamsis. He is also survived by two brothers, Elmer of Washington State and Norman of Vancouver, as well as eleven grandchildren: Sarah and Ian; Vaughan, Carl and Karen; Kim, Cheryl, Lee and Michelle; Jennifer and Katie. He was predeceased by three siblings, including his twin sister Ruth in 2006 as well as a grandson, Andrew Hill. Resting at Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road, Saint John, (646-2424) with visitations on Saturday December 20 from 7 to 9 pm and Sunday December 21 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A Tribute for a Veteran Service will be held on Sunday evening at 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Monday December 22 at 12:05 p.m. Following cremation, a private family interment will take place in St. Patrick's Cemetery. The family would appreciate donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the charity of the donor's choice. www.fundyfuneralhome.com