Obituary of William Rama

Bill died suddenly in a car accident. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Marguerite Alberta Belle (nee Watt); his children Laureen Rama, Delia Cyr (Darrell), Robert Rama (Stacy); grandchildren, Karah and Nigel Cyr, Jocelyn and Dylan Rama and their mother Kathy McNish; Riley (Stacy’s daughter); and his brother Kauko Leslie all of Calgary; his sister Doris Demers of California and family; brother John Rama (Les-Anne) of Ottawa, ON and family; sister-in-law Dorothy Edwards of Surrey, BC and family; sister-in-law Marilyn (Raymond) Kowalski of Sylvan Lake, AB and family; brother-in-law Daniel Watt (Linda) of Windsor, ON and family; sister-in-law Stella Watt of Langley, BC and family; cousins, Joan Koivuneva and family, Jean Plamondon and family; as well as many relatives in Finland. Born in Goose Lake, AB of Bertha Maria Carlson and Matti Johan Rama, Bill was a proud chemical engineer from the University of Alberta, attending his 50th class reunion in 2006, and a lifetime member of APEGGA. He worked for Pacific Petroleum in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, BC and in Burstall, SK, then worked for Mobil Oil for 27 years in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Indonesia. He loved the time he spent in Indonesia and Nova Scotia and worked on some of the worlds largest and most important projects (Arun, Venture). He represented industry as Chairman of the Offshore Operator’s Division of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. He was a respected expert in natural gas processing and taught courses on the subject for many years. He retired from the Oil business and took up a second career in alternative dispute resolution. He became a Chartered Arbitrator and organized and taught Arbitration courses for the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society (AAMS). Bill was a kind, gentle, funny Grandpa who was smart and always considerate and thoughtful. Many loved him as their goofy Uncle Bill who always listened and made them smile. Inquisitive and wanting to learn, he was constantly searching for a better understanding of the world with his spontaneous sense of adventure. He kept in touch with his Finnish relatives and many a grandchild will always remember the traditional pulla bread at Easter and Christmas. A loving and devoted husband who adored his wife, Bill enjoyed traveling to new places, curling, skiing, golfing, reading and playing bridge. A loyal friend, staying in touch with his University ski buddies, he also had a wide network of friends through his work with the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society, and his participation in Mobil Oil retirees’ activities. All are welcome to a celebration of Bill’s life to be held Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at the Silver Springs Community Hall, (5720 Silver Ridge Drive N.W., Calgary). In lieu of flowers those wishing to honour Bill’s memory may make donations to the Kidney Foundation, Branch 6007 1A Street SW Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 or, the Mustard Seed, 102 11 Avenue S.E. Calgary, AB or a charity of the donors choice. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of William Rama a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.