Glen Colvin was born Monday, July 27, 1931 to Elmer Louis and Grace Irvina (Colvin) Ruhl, in Hanover. He was the eldest of four children; Glen, Ross A. (1934-1942), Butch (Jack) (1935-2011), and Andrew E. (Andy) (1947-1964).
Glen was educated at James A. Magee and Hanover & District High Schools. Glen’s father, uncle and grandfather were all involved in the family butchering business, Ruhl’s Meat Market, just along Main Street in Hanover. Glen began helping and working at the business at a young age, and soon became a butcher himself. He handled all tasks within the Shop, but he enjoyed their customers most of all. However, when it came time for Glen’s father to retire, he decided that he did not want to take over ownership of the business. Sadly, the business closed in 1974 and it was then that Glen went to work at the Royal Canadian Legion in Hanover as a steward.
It was in high school that Glen met the love of his life and the couple dated for a few years. Merlene “Merle” Mary Ann Kroetsch and Glen were married at the Roman Catholic rectory in Hanover on Monday, April 26, 1954. As of this past spring, Glen and Merle had been married sixty-two years! From this union two children were born; Kathy (July 17, 1954) and Chris (June 13, 1960). The Ruhl family lived and played on 6th Avenue in Hanover.
Glen had a number of passions. He loved to read mysteries, particularly James Bond and Louis L’Amour. He loved to smoke cigars like his father who did it right the first time. The best brand was Century Sam’s (about 4″ long with a small ring gauge) and White Owl (mild bodied and made in the U.S.). Crossword Puzzles and rug hooking were also enjoyed by Glen, as was lawn bowling. His beverage of choice was “OV” beer and he did enjoy hunting morels in the spring and walking as well. He also had a passion for cars. While Merle and Glen were dating, he drove a Model A, and later owned a Hudson. In recent years it always had to be a Buick. O ya, the other seat he liked relaxing in…. his Lazy Boy of course!
A lot of time was spent at their cottage in Sauble Beach. In fact, April to October Merle and Glen resided there. It was at the beach that Glen had quite a reputation. Random, neighbouring dogs would always drop by to visit with Glen as they knew he would feed them a treat! However, they were not the only visitors to the cottage. Happy Hour was always spent with their neighbours and the couple often entertained friends and family at the cottage. TV was for watching the Blue Jays and, of course the occasional hockey game. He would try anything, in terms of eating. However, he was truly a meat and potato kind of guy. He loved his steak, head cheese (which he spiced himself) and ox-tail soup. In fact when Glen was eating a cut of meat he would often start with the fat, as that was usually his favourite part of the meat. Remember…. He was a true butcher a heart!
There was something about Glen that drew people, and dogs, to him. He had quite the presence and was very social. Perhaps it was his sense of humour. It could not have been that he was set in his ways, his stubbornness or his sarcasm! Maybe it was his sarcasm, but one of his best pieces of advice was “Use your head!” The other advice he often gave was, “Try everything!” It was easy, yet always important for Glen to generate respect!
Sadly, Glen’s health has declined over the last couple years and in August 2016 he became a resident in Elgin Abbey in Chesley. It was Friday, January 20, 2017 when he left Elgin Abbey for that beautiful cottage area in the sky.
Beloved husband of Merle. Loving father of Kathy (Michael) Whitton of Kitchener and Chris (Glenda) Ruhl of Walkerton. Glen will be sadly missed by his two granddaughters, Sara (Gary) Publicover and Tori Ruhl (Colton Morrow), all of Kitchener, as well as his sister-in-law Norma Ruhl of Hanover. He was predeceased by his brothers Ross, Jack and Andy and his parents, Elmer and Grace (Colvin) Ruhl.
In respecting Glen’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no further services.
Memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
