March 6, 1927 - September 28, 2018
Ray passed away at the age of 91 from heart related issues. Survived by his sons Ken and Mark, their spouses Carole & Kathy, Grandchildren Tysha, Matthew & Krista, two great grandchildren, a brother in law, Pat Driscoll, niece Michelle as well as special friends Bob & Dorothy Beale.
Ray was born near Yorkton, Saskatchewan and moved to Vancouver Island in 1933 at the age of 6 with his parents, 2 sisters and 3 brothers in the families Model T Ford. After a short time in the Victoria area, they made a move to Chemainus. Growing up in the semi-rural area left Ray with many positive stories to reminisce over for the rest of his life. A move was eventually made to Vancouver in 1941.
One of Ray's first employers was Slade and Stewart, a food wholesaler in Gastown. This sent him on a path in the food wholesale industry for the remainder of his working days. The majority of these years were spent with Kelly Douglas of Nabob fame and Palm Dairies where he eventually retired many years ago. His position as head of the shipping departments at both of these companies helped form many long lasting relationships.
In 1949 Ray married May Kassian. They had met through mutual friends while spending time on Mount Seymour. In the early 1960's they built a home in Port Moody, where they lived for 36 years. Once retired, Ray and May purchased a new home in the Sardis area of Chilliwack. They loved to travel, mostly by car and had many adventures throughout B.C. and the Western USA. When their long distance driving days were over, they could still be found sightseeing locally in their big old Lincoln until near the time of May's death.
On May's passing in 2011 Ray found himself at the age of 84, living by himself for the first time in his life. Thankfully because of his involvement in gardening, cooking, cribbage playing, watching hockey and baseball on television, and most especially the tremendous support of his wonderful neighbours and friends he did well.
Ray was a very kind and generous man, always concerned about being fair with everyone he was ever involved with. Some of his last words spoken were to confirm that his sons would continue his precedent of taking care of everyone in his family as he had for so many years. To the very end he was concerned about others and asked for very little for himself. Ray will most definitely be missed by anyone that knew him and his kind and giving spirit.
As per Ray's request a celebration of life is not planned.