Raimund Petrich,
Father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to many has passed away in Sherwood Park, Alberta on Jan 20/2022 at the age of 90 years.
«Ray» as he was known to everyone that knew him in Canada, was born in Ozerte, Poland in March of 1931. Ray was a loving, kind, and compassionate man with a sense of humour.
His early life was that of a farm boy from a very large family. It is here that he developed his love for horses and other animals. But, this simple farm life did not last very long as World War 2 broke out in Europe. Ray’s education was stopped and he became a young prisoner of war. Even though he experienced many of the atrocities of war, he never gave up hope. Through God’s loving intervention, a kind Russian soldier helped in a successful escape attempt. Alas, at the end of the war Ray received news that all but two brothers and one
sister survived.
Ray then moved with his surviving family to Germany where he got a job as an underground coal miner. It was a very dangerous job and one day an explosion happened that killed some of his friends. God again has spared Ray’s life.
It was in Germany where he met his loving wife of 30 years,Wilma.They had two wonderful daughters together: Elke and Ute, which he loved very much. But «wanderlust» took hold of Ray and he immigrated to Canada with his wife and daughters in 1960, where he was united with his brother Willi and sister Martha that immigrated a few years earlier.
Ray started working in Canada building swimming pools for “Master Pools by Dominion Gunite”. He became an expert at his job, and loved it very much.
It was in Canada that his third daughter, “Barb” was born.
Ray was forced into early «retirement» due to a serious work accident, but Ray did not give up nor let it stop him. It was during this time that he also looked after his ailing wife Wilma for a period of time until she passed away in 1993.
After her death, Ray then became known as «Ray the handyman» and was well known throughout Sherwood Park. He did many odd handyman jobs for seniors and single ladies that had no other help.
Then at the very fine age of 80, Ray met a very special lady named Jean, who became his companion for the next 10 years. Ray and Jean spent several happy years together, going on trips, sharing hobbies and working on puzzles during the long winter months. Ray’s special talent was woodworking. He created many projects like unique bird houses, keyboards, wooden trucks, horses and wagons. He also started drawing and sketching many different scenes. He enjoyed these hobbies until his recent death.
Ray was Opa(grandpa) to Michael, Christine, Avron and Markus. He was a Gross-Opa (greatgrandpa) to Malakai, his only great grandson, not to mention “Uncle Ray” to many nieces and nephews.
Dad, we will miss you very much. You will live forever in our hearts. God keep you in his
loving arms.
Your life is proof of the following psalm.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
AMEN
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Raimund Petrich March 12 1931 January 20 2022..
Park Place Funeral Home Chapel & Crematorium Ltd
Décès pour la Ville: Sherwood Park, Province: Alberta