It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Colonel (retired) Ralph Coleman, OMM, CD. Ralph died in Ottawa on September 20, 2024, at the age of 79 after an unexpected diagnosis of stage 4 colon cancer in early August. With his sense of humour intact until the end, he passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side. Our family, the Canadian Armed Forces, Ottawa’s public service and political communities have lost a trusted friend, leader, mentor, and advisor.
Loving husband to Sonia for 45 years, doting father to Oleshia (Andrew) and Linda (Matt). Proud grandfather to Alexandra, Sydney, Isla and Xavier. Loving younger brother to Judy and big brother to Richard. Predeceased by his parents Ralph senior (1968) and Roberta (2002). He will be greatly missed by his entire family.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ralph knew he wanted to join the military and attend the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) since the age of 8. It was his calling. He enrolled in the 29th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, as a militia Gunner on May 27, 1961. Two years later he joined the regular force and entered RMC in Kingston, graduating in 1967 with an Honours B.A. in History. He obtained a Masters Degree in History from McMaster University in 1968 and then embarked on a career that would see both military and civilian service to the Government of Canada.
Ralph culminated his military career as head of the Public Affairs Branch, serving at National Defence Headquarters from 1996 to 1999 as Director of Public Affairs Plans and Operations, Public Affairs Branch Advisor, Acting Director General Public Affairs. Prior to that, he directed the Coalition Press Information Centre in Sarajevo, Bosnia in 1996 as part of NATO’s peace implementation force; headed Canadian Army Public Affairs at Land Force Command Headquarters, 1993-96; served as Senior Canadian Public Affairs Officer in the Canadian Joint Headquarters Middle East during the Gulf War in 1991; and served with Canada’s NATO forces in Germany, 1989-93, as Chief of Public Information for Canadian Forces Europe during the end of the Cold War.
Before joining the Public Affairs Branch in 1979, Ralph served in the artillery with 2RCHA and 5RALC, served in the 1970 October crisis in Québec and was an aide-de-camp to Governors General Roland Michener and Jules Léger. After retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999, Ralph became Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Communications in the Privy Council Office (PCO).
Earlier in his career, Ralph was seconded to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as a press officer and tour leader for a number of years, culminating in service as Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s press secretary, 1983-84 – a career highlight that ignited a passion for politics.
Ralph was appointed an officer of the Order of Military Merit in 1995 and in 1991 was awarded a Commander’s Commendation Canadian Forces Middle East for outstanding service during the Gulf War. In 2012 he was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to Canada. Ralph retired from the Government of Canada in 2011 after 50 years of service to Queen and Country. He was appointed as the first Colonel Commandant of the Canadian Armed Forces Public Affairs Branch on June 20, 2018 and remained in this role until his passing. In total, Ralph served Canada for 63 years.
Ralph was certainly dedicated to his service to country, but he was even more dedicated to his family. No matter where in the world he was deployed, we felt his love. He was an incredible husband, father and grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. His positivity, sense of humour, thoughtfulness, calm demeanor, family travel planning skills, and storytelling made him the heart of our family. We will miss his incredible stories, political discourse, family vacations, cheerfulness, and Dad jokes.
He loved hockey and was a goalie for many years, including the RMC team. He grew up as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but eventually became an Ottawa Senators fan and frequented games every season with family and friends, including his good friend Bill Aikman. His daughter, Linda, played hockey as a teenager and he never missed a game.
Friends are invited to gather in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre on Tuesday October 1, 2024 after 9 a.m. A celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at 10:00 am with a reception to follow.
For those unable to join us in person for the celebration, we invite you to register here to attend via live-stream.
In lieu of flowers or for those wishing to honour his memory, please consider donating to the Cancer Society and/or the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Digital Guestbook
John Ward
Rose Simpson and Scott Troyer
We are so sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing. He was an officer and a gentleman and we were honoured to know him.
Jim Wakefield
I was privileged to work closely with Ralph over the past number of years as a team member on the Vimy Oaks project. Ralph was a valuable member of the team and his meaningful participation in the areas of military and public relations and the legal ramifications of our decisions contributed greatly to the successful completion of the project. Although I only knew Ralph relatively recently, his accomplishments over a long and distinguished career are a testament to his dedication to public service. He will be missed.
Jim
Mary Jordan Beverly
I met Ralph over 60 years ago when he and my husband were in their first year at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He was a cherished friend and an exceptional man. I am saddened by his death, and extend my heartfelt condolences to Sonia, Oleshia, Linda, their families, and all who loved him and grieve his loss.
Mike Mailloux
Ralph was a great leader and a very good kind boss who did a lot for the country. I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to the Coleman family.
Holly Apostoliuk
My deep condolences. There is such a void, now. A life richly led, and so many other lives enriched.
Hrayr Karageozian
My sincere condolences to Col Coleman's family. He was a dedicated and inspirational leader.
Brett Boudreau
Ralph was a towering figure in Defence communications, with a firm and unwavering conviction to good old fashioned public affairs principles, and a deep love of country, and family. My deep condolences to his family. RIP, sir.
Louis Garneau
My sincere condolences to the Coleman family. Such a big loss. I worked for Ralph in the 90s at DGPA and more recently I've had the opportunity and pleasure to work with Linda at ADM(PA). As former coworkers (DND and the CAF) we remember a person who steered an organization with a very steady hand through most challenging times but also a period of exponential growth in the Public Affairs branch. We must now carry on with the warm memory of a leader and a mentor. Rest in peace, Sir.
Mark Van Dyke, Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired)
My deepest condolences to Ralph’s family and friends. As I’m sure this guestbook will reflect, Ralph touched so many lives. We share in your grief. I was privileged to work with Ralph when he served as the director of the Coalition Public Information Center (CPIC) in Sarajevo during the 1995-1996 NATO-led, 60,000 member Peace Implementation Force mission that helped stop war in the Balkans and secure a lasting peace. All of us who served with Ralph had a deep respect for his absolute professionalism, military expertise, leadership abilities, soft-spoken manner, dry wit, and love for his troops and family, He was the kind of man we could turn to for calm advice and support during difficult and dangerous times. To his family, thank you for “loaning” us Ralph for those many months he was away from you, deployed with us to Bosnia. Your sacrifice and your loved one’s contributions to IFOR’s information campaign literally helped save thousands of lives. We miss him, so.
I knew Ralph for decades as I covered defence stories for CP and he ran defence public affairs. We ran into each other just a few months ago, at a funeral, sadly, and chatted about the old days. He look hale and fit, with no hint of what was to come.
Ralph did his best for both the journalists he worked with and the Canadian Forces. He made that tricky balancing act look easy. He served his country with honour and integrity and was both a leader and an example.
I offer my condolences to his family and friends and to the whole public affairs branch which has lost its colonel commandant and a great mentor.