Ralph Donald "Raeph" Bentley

October 31, 1924 - January 7, 2011

BENTLEY, Raeph - former Major, The Life Guards; British American Oil, Gulf Canada, Petro-Canada, Energy Mines & Resources. Peacefully at Northumberland Hills Hospital in Cobourg Ontario, on January 7th, aged 86 years. At his request, there will be only a private cremation. Survived by his beloved, wife and companion Mary Gourlay of Moorfield, Ont. Also by his first wife Helen Warler of Copenhagen, Denmark and their son Mark, his wife Sysser and by his grandchildren Babette, Patrick and Robin and by great-grandchildren Clara, Carl-Emil and Carl-Johan. Predeceased by his former wife Georgia Riddel of Palmerston, Ont. and their son Ian. Born in London, England to Harry and Ellen Bentley, he was educated at Sutton Valence School, Kent and commissioned from Sandhurst into The Life Guards Regiment in June 1943. He served through Europe in WW2, then in Egypt and Palestine and later in Korea, where he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal, and then in Tokyo, Japan. Returning to England in 1954, he resigned his commission and emigrated to Canada where he worked in and with the logistical arms of the oil industry at Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa until his retirement in 1990. His last 10 years were marked by being the Canadian representative on the Industry Supply Advisory Group to the International Energy Agency and for 3 years as Secretary to the Energy Supplies Allocation Board in Ottawa. He was a member of the Cavalry & Guards Club, London, England, and was President of the original Household Brigade of North America, later serving as President of the Grenadier Guards Association of Canada. He founded the Oilmen's Golfing Turtles. He was a dedicated gardener and left lovely gardens along his trail. He will be sorely missed. ?For trees around his homestead, and flowers about his gate.? In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northumberland Hills Hospital Palliative Care or Chemotherapy Unit. Condolences received at www.MacCoubrey.com