Raymond was born on March 20, 1936, in the small community of Armley, SK, but he grew up in the farming town of Zenon Park. He started his education at the one-room rural school “La Marseillaise” before attending high school in Zenon Park and Collège Mathieu in Gravelbourg, SK. After graduating, he worked on the family farm for a while before exploring other opportunities. From 1956, he spent a winter working various jobs at lumber camps before training as a psychiatric nurse at Oliver Hospital in Fort Saskatchewan, where he stayed for over three years. After that experience, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1959. Once he completed technical training as an airframe metal technician, he was posted to bases across eastern Canada and earned the nickname “Gabe.” When his service ended in 1964, he decided not to re-enlist and returned to Saskatchewan.
In 1965 Ray enrolled in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan and dedicated three years to mastering medico-chemical intervention. While studying there, he met his future wife, Wendy Mc Fadyen. After dating for a year, they tied the knot in December 1968 and went on to have five wonderful children and twelve incredible grandchildren-though not all at once.
Even amid marital bliss, Ray found ways to improve himself while supporting his family as a journeyman sheet-metal fabricator. His accomplishments included earning CIM certification from the Canadian Institute of Management, completing a Dale Carnegie course, joining Toastmasters, and obtaining a boiler fireman’s certificate. As time went by, he developed an interest in computer technology; starting with a Commodore Vic 20 for the family before diving into the PC revolution. Throughout his life-long passion for learning about technology, he built and maintained three different PC setups as advancements were made until they became outdated. Like many others who appreciate technology’s evolution-he believed that Windows XP was peak Windows and only used later versions reluctantly. In his later years, Ray continued to satisfy his curiosity about various subjects like space and astrophysics.
Ray took immense pride in his kids. If you could get out of bed early enough during school days-he’d drive you there himself-but he’d also chauffeur you around to any activities you signed up for like hockey or softball or other competitive events. He extended this support to his grandchildren after they arrived; driving one granddaughter all the way to Regina for a wrestling tournament following a coaching mishap. His children and grandchildren never questioned how much he loved them; it was clear through all that he did for them-and attended every event possible without fail. There was no need for Ray to say “I love you,” because it showed through every action.
A man with deep faith at heart; wherever Ray and Wendy traveled together-the first order of business was finding where Sunday Mass would be held. Early on in their marriage they joined members of Christian Family Movement together as well as making unforgettable memories such as attending Mass with Pope John Paul II during his first visit to Canada back in 1984 when they moved their family over to Edmonton specifically for that occasion! A proud member of St Philip Neri parish for half a century-he led welcoming teams there over many years while serving on parish council alongside Wendy along with taking on duties as Eucharistic minister until cancer began affecting him heavily.
Although Ray had immense love for his family; there’s no question that Wendy occupied center stage within it all! They enjoyed fifty-eight years together-a true partnership filled with devotion where she counted on him like her knight battling dragons even sleeping with one leg hanging off just so imaginary snakes wouldn’t get too close! Whenever any rodents dared invade their castle-he’d handle those nuisances swiftly too! He always provided unwavering support whenever needed-even indulging her penchant shop around adding new items filling spaces within home sweet home! Every anniversary marked beautifully: red roses paired nicely handwritten messages tucked inside card each time-all reminiscent fondly cherished moments shared between husband & wife culminating even up until last few days under care when secretly arranged delivery sixteen stunning red roses commemorating day exchanged vows celebrating fifty-seventh anniversary!
Ray led by example through kindness & compassion showing us how we ought live our lives fully devoted loving others deeply!
He passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Glengarda Hospice on January 13th ,2026. He reached age eighty-nine.
The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at eleven o’clock AM Saturday January seventeenth ,2026 @ St Philip Neri RC Parish (1902 Munroe Ave S , Saskatoon).
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