Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my statement today, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of a prominent and long-time resident of Hay River, who passed away in the early hours of yesterday morning. Wally Ring had just celebrated his 75th birthday, but complications from a stroke last Thursday took his life a few short days later. Wally Ring was born in Neudorf, Saskatchewan. As a young man, he moved to Uranium City, where he met his wife, Marlene, who was a nurse there at the time. Wally and Marlene were married in 1961, and the same year moved to Fort Smith. This is where they opened their first pharmacy, which today, 40 years later, is still called Wally's Drugs.
Two years later in 1963 Marlene and Wally moved to Hay River and moved a second pharmacy called Ring's Drugstore. They first opened in the old town in the Hay River Hotel, a few years later moved to the Ptarmigan Inn, and in 1971 relocated their store to its present location today.
As a long-time resident of Hay River commented to me today, no Saturday afternoon trip downtown was complete without a stop at the local drugstore. Wally Ring was a part of that Hay River culture and greeted everyone with warmth when they came into his store.
Wally was a very quiet man, he never liked to be the front person, which does not mean he was not a leader in his own right. He organized many Hay River community activities including Ookpik carnivals in the old day and many Kiwanis activities throughout the years.
Wally was recognized as an honourary lifetime member of the Hay River Kiwanis Club and was a special guest at the Kiwanis 25th Anniversary celebrations just last year. He was also a long-time member of the Hay River Chamber of Commerce and a well-respected member of the Hay River business community. He was an avid fan of curling and travelled to destinations around the world to take in curling events.
He was a man of few words who did not share his politics or his opinions all that freely, but it was a quiet friendliness that earned him the respect of the people he served and lived with. His children now run the family business. His eldest son Larry is now the town pharmacist and the tradition of the Rings continues.
Wally's passing is a very sad loss for Hay River. On behalf of my colleague from Hay River North, Mr. Paul Delorey and myself, I would like to express our sincere condolences to Marlene, Larry, Les and Gail and their families.
As friends and family will gather to share the memory of Wally Ring on Saturday afternoon, I know it will be a time of reflection of a man whose kindness and generosity touched the entire community of Hay River over a period of almost 40 years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.