About The Author

Ralph Drew was active in municipal politics for 40 years. In 1979, he chaired the Village of Belcarra incorporation committee and following Belcarra's incorporation referendum, Ralph was appointed by the provincial government to Belcarra's Inaugural Council on August 27^th, 1979, and was subsequently elected Alderman in November 1979. Ralph was Mayor of Belcarra for 35 years (from December 1983 until November 2018) and was a member of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors for 36 years –– the longest serving Metro Vancouver Director. In 2013, Ralph was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal "for his on-going dedication to public service".

In 2014, Ralph was awarded first prize in the B.C. Historical Federation annual book competition, receiving the Lieutenant-Governor's Gold Medal for historical writing for his self-published history, Forest & Fjord: The History of Belcarra.

In 2016, Ralph was awarded second prize in the B.C. Historical Federation annual book competition for his self-published history, Ferries & Fjord: The History of Indian Arm. In 2017, Ralph published his third book titled Townsite Tales: The History of Ioco, and his fourth book in October 2018 titled Coquitlam Chronicles: Historical Crossroads on the Fraser River. In October 2023, Ralph published his fifth and latest book titled Terminus Town: Port Moody's Transition Through Time.

Ralph previously worked for Canadian Fishing Company (Canfisco) from January 1986 until December 2006, when he opted to semi-retire. During his tenure as Canfisco's Director of Technical Services, Ralph was Chair of the Industry Advisory Committee for the BCIT 'Fish Harvesting and Processing Program' from 1991 to 1998, served three terms as Chair of the 'Fisheries Council of British Columbia' Technical Committee, and in 2004-2005 was President of the Association of Pacific Fisheries Technologists. Ralph's background also includes 10 years as Chemistry Section Supervisor of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Fish Inspection Laboratory.

Ralph was born in Mission, B.C., grew-up in North Burnaby, and has lived in Belcarra since 1974. Ralph received his Bachelor of Science (Honours Chemistry) in 1971, and his Masters of Science (Inorganic Chemistry) in 1973, both degrees from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Ralph was married to his wife Carol (deceased) for 53 years, and they have a daughter Ryan Drew and three grandsons.

For inquiries regarding purchases of the author's self-published books, either email the author, Ralph Drew, or telephone the author at: 604-937-0143.