Raymond Gordon Cook – June 17, 1932 – November 16, 2011

After a short and courageous battle with cancer, Ray passed away on November 16th, 2011 at Dryden Regional Health Centre at age 79.

Ray was born June 17, 1932 in Miami, Manitoba to Owen and Elsie Cook. He spent his formative years in various small communities in southern Manitoba until the family moved to Dryden in 1946.

After finishing high school, Ray worked as a fishing guide and a labourer before signing on with the Dryden Paper Company in 1956. Ray worked in the steam plant until 1963, when he went to the woodlands where he worked in various positions until retirement in 1989. Ray was a loyal employee, known for putting a smile on the face of most everyone he met.

After retirement Ray enjoyed co-operating the family tourist camp, Lakeshore Cabins and entertaining the many guests.

Ray met Roberta Shulz in 1954 and they married in 1959, together raising their sons Jim, Jeff and Murray.

Ray was an accomplished curler, going to schoolboy championships in 1949 in Edmonton and later enjoying curling in various local leagues as well as many bonspiels. He was also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing and he spent many hours passing these passions on to his boys. He also took great pleasure in the outpost at Boyer Lake, enjoying his time there with family and friends whenever possible.

Ray’s close extended family will miss his presence at family gatherings and Ray will be fondly remembered by all those whose lives he touched for his gentle disposition, incredible sense of humour, and unmatched love and pride for his family.

Ray is survived by his wife, Roberta; his sons Jim (Terry), Jeff (Kate), and Murray (Stephanie); granddaughters Brittany and Kennady and grandson Raymond. Also surviving are Ray’s siblings Elva Balluff of Aurora, Illinois, Don (Jan) of Victoria, Alice (Dennis) of Dryden, Charley (Nancy) of Denver, Colorado and sister-in-law Nova also of Dryden; all his nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his brother Omar and his grandson Eddie.

A memorial funeral service was held Monday, November 21st, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in First United Church with Reverend Scott Gale officiating. Visitation was held on Sunday, November 20th, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the Moffat Chapel of the Stevens Funeral Homes. If friends so desire donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Society through the Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be emailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca subject: Cook.