RICHARD ALAN BALL

RICHARD ALAN BALL Richard Alan Ball passed away peacefully at North York Genera l Hospital on December 21, 2014 in his 89th year. Survived by his ever-loving wife Claire (nee Thomson) of 65 years and four children, James (Candace), Michael (Carole), Ian (Carolyn), Tracey (Keith). Predeceased by brothers Kenneth and Gordon. He will be remembered for his love and admiration of his 10 grandchildren, Natasha, Christian, Rebecca, Jason, Jeremy, Griffin, Breah, Keira, Weston and Tiana. Richard served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II, then attended the University of Toronto where he was a Varsity Blues hockey standout. His skill as a goaltender won him a berth on Canada's 1948 Olympic Hockey Team. While excited to play in the St. Moritz Games, where our team won gold, a faulty medical exam kept him at home. Nevertheless, his selection to the team as the number one goalie was one of his proudest achievements. After the Olympics, he married his university sweetheart and concentrated on raising his family and building a successful career as a sales and marketing executive. In his retirement years you could always find him at the Summit Golf & Country Club. These were among his happiest moments as he enjoyed the challenges of the golf course and sharing his quick wit in the company of his many friends. His passion for golf was boundless. In one noteworthy game, after incurring a mild heart attack on the 2nd hole, he continued to play, finishing most of the course before emergency medical help was summoned. Richard enjoyed a long and rich life. He was remarkably inquisitive. Whether about people, politics, history, current events or sport he could be counted on to provide an animated response to almost anything one could ask, and solve even the most difficult of "crosswords." His love of family, devotion as a husband and father and his concern for others are qualities that will remain in the memories of all who knew him. Determined and caring to the end, this was indeed a life well lived. Family and friends are invited to an informal reception to celebrate his life from 1 - 3 p.m. on December 28th at the Granite Club, 2350 Bayview Ave.