Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Feb 21/00) - The legacy of former Arviat mayor Ralph King is one of candour, caring and dedication to his family and community.

Hailing from the Trinity Bay area of Newfoundland, King ventured North almost 40 years ago and fell in love with the Kivalliq.

Always curious about the North, he took the opportunity to come to Coral Harbour, where he became manager of the Northern store.

After seven years, it was off to Arviat and then to Tuktoyaktuk, which wife Jackie describes as one of Ralph's few negative Northern experiences.

"We only lasted six months there. That's when Ralph quit the Hudson's Bay Co.," says Jackie.

"It was really different for us then. Our kids only spoke Inuktitut and it was all English there, so it was very difficult for us as a family."

After stints in Coral and Arviat as hamlet manager, in 1985 Ralph was appointed regional director for the Housing Corp. and it was off to Rankin Inlet.

1987 brought decentralization, leading the Kings back to Arviat where Ralph first decided to throw his hat into the political arena.

"Ralph decided to get involved with politics because he wanted to make a difference in the community," says Jackie.

"He liked to speak on behalf of the people and help them achieve their goals.

"After being involved with the hamlet council, education and other committees, he ultimately became mayor."

On top of his political achievements, including the first arena built in the Kivalliq which still bears his name in Arviat, King was also a successful businessman.

He opened a bed and breakfast in 1991 and an arcade in '95. Ralph's Taxi is a staple of the Arviat community.

Ralph and Jackie had four kids: daughters Rosalinde, Edith and Juanita, and son, Gary.

They have 13 grandchildren.

Jackie's voice begins to tremble as she describes the man her husband was.

"Ralph was a wonderful man, husband and father," she says.

"He was strict, but in a very loving way. He always wanted the best for our kids."

Jackie agrees with the way many viewed Ralph during his four decades in the North -- a straight-forward man with neither the time nor patience for beating around the bush.

"He cared very much for his community and really fell in love with the North.

"He didn't even want to go south for his holidays because he would miss spring and summer here."

King was 61 when he passed away on Jan. 24. He and Jackie had celebrated their 32nd anniversary in December.

Jackie says Ralph will be remembered for always being friendly to people.

"If he couldn't pronounce a person's Inuktitut name, he would give them a name so he could remember them and nobody ever minded.

"He knew so many people, he left me and our kids with some wonderful friends.

"That says so much as to the type of man he was."