KANE, CHIEF RALPH G. – Family and friends are saddened by the death of Ralph Gordon Kane, which occurred on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Ralph was born in Saint John on March 18, 1952, a son of the late John and Beatrice (Stafford) Kane and his birth parents, the late Douglas and Elizabeth (Comeau) McKinney. Ralph graduated from Saint John Vocational School and had just retired from Centracare after 38 years. He was very active in the Boy Scouts having been Scout Master and took the boys to CJ85 and CJ89. Ralph joined Simonds Fire Department in 1980 and has been Chief for the last 10 years. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Patsy (Patricia Arsenault) of almost 40 years. Also a loving and devoted father to his children, Ralph Jr. (Jessica Furzer); Kim, Jeff, Josselyn (John); and special and loving papa to Conrad, Dylan, Hailey, Abigail, Ethan and two on the way. Besides his loving wife, children and grandchildren, he is survived by his brothers Gary (Debby) Kane; Roy (Linda) McKinney, Doug (Debbie); Bruce (Faith), Leonard and Harold Giggey and Anthony (Eva) Guimond; sisters, Joan Hope, Julia Walsh, Jane Guimond (Claude); brothers in law Harold Cassidy, Edmond Arsenault and Kevin (Emma) Arsenault; sisters in laws, Jeannine (Joe) Munro, Ann McKinney; daughter in law, Noreen Kane; very special goddaughter, Melissa, Several nieces and nephews. Ralph will be deeply missed by all his family and friends. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by sister, Christine Cassidy, Kim McCluskey; brothers Fred McKinney, Ronald McKinney and Boyd Guimond; mother in law and father in law Mr. and Mrs. Henry Arsenault; brothers in law Ronnie and Bruce Arsenault; sisters in law Lucy Smith, Rose Grant and Sandra Flynn.
Resting at Fitzpatrick's Funeral Home, 100 Waterloo Street, Saint John (634-1965), with visiting on Sunday and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9.p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday afternoon at 12:05. Interment will take place in St. Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Muscular Dystrophy Society.