Sadly the Guelph Trillium Rotarian who was the driving force behind the creation of a new Rotary club in the south end of Guelph - that turned out to be what is now Rotary Club of Guelph South - has passed away.
Ralph Marziano not only championed and fought for the formation of another Guelph Rotary club, he was a constant presence and support to the new club whose membership included only one who had been a Rotarian previously….the rest all new to Rotary. He hosted and attended our Board meetings in his office for the first couple of years and mentored the new Board of Directors. He also attended as many weekly meetings as he could when we were meeting in person at Springfield. Subsequently his wife Jane would join our club (2003-2006) as would his son Bruno (I2012-2019) who would eventually serve as 2017-2018 club President. Our successfully reaching our 25th anniversary recently can very much be attributed to the support, encouragement and strong base for moving forward that he provided in our early years.
Ralph died on Sunday September 13th: the obituary was just posted today and a copy is attached. Visitation at the Guelph funeral home (Gilbert MacIntyre Funeral Home, Hart Chapel) tomorrow (September 17th) and a funeral mass on Friday September 18th.
RIP and thank you Ralph, you will be missed!