Obituary for
Ray Chenier
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
• Dylan Thomas
CHENIER, RAY (1936-2018)
Ray Chenier didn’t go gentle into that good night. He died on August 9th, 2018 at the age of 82. He was predeceased by his parents Aldege and Marion (nee Couture) Chenier and his brothers Roger and Flo. He is survived by his sisters Patricia “Patsy” Fuller and Florence “Tootsie” Vincelette (Gerry), his brother Allan, his wife Anita (nee Jones), children Rhonda, Terry (Jane), and Kelly, his grandchildren Jamie, Sam, Nolan, Adam, Andrew, Jay, and Maddie, and his many nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank Dr. Critchley for his years of dedicated care and Dr. Paquette and the nurses in palliative care for their attention and kindness.
Anyone who knew Ray knew he lived his life with unbelievable strength and determination. He cared fiercely for his family and loved them with every inch of his being; he took his work seriously and was proud of his accomplishments; he hunted and fished the woods, rivers, and lakes around Timmins until he couldn’t take another step. There are creeks around town that’ll be lost forever now that Ray isn’t here to fish them. Ray was born on April 9, 1936 in Timmins. He grew up with his brothers and sisters in a tiny two-bedroom house on Hemlock Street, and they shared a deep connection that lasted throughout their lives. It wasn’t always easy: Ray and his brothers shared a room for much of their youth, and money was always tight. Coming from little is what gave Ray the moral centre and burning drive that sustained him throughout his career. Ray always wanted to be a police officer, and after quitting school in Grade 10 he worked odd jobs until he fulfilled his dream by joining the OPP. He rose quickly through the ranks until he was offered a promotion that entailed moving to Toronto. Ray wanted to keep his family in Timmins, so he changed careers and became an insurance adjuster. His work ethic was relentless: his children remember waking up in the morning and seeing a can of Pepsi on the kitchen table, the leftovers from his breakfast before heading into the office. His sense of integrity and devotion to other people’s lives made him a phenomenal success, and after building his own business, he retired at the age of 49 and spent the rest of his life exploring the outdoors he loved. Ray met Anita when he was 19, and a week after they started dating he asked her to marry him. They were wed in 1956, and he kept a picture of her in his wallet to show off until the day he died. The picture is faded and torn after 62 years, but Ray still found Anita as beautiful as the day they met. Their love and commitment to each other remains an inspiration to everyone in their community. Ray wasn’t just a devoted husband: he was a hero to his children and grandchildren. His children remember how he made them feel safe. No matter what happened to them, he’d be there to take care of them. To his grandchildren, Papa was larger than life. He was a retired superhero, a titan who’d stopped fighting crime to watch the Weather Channel from his armchair and slip their pets snacks when no one was looking. No one commanded more respect. Ray left an impression that will never be forgotten. He’ll be remembered as a generous, tough, and fundamentally kind man, the kind of man who set a standard by which all of us should try to live our lives. He raged against the dying of the light, and he will be deeply missed. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private interment service will be held at a later date. For those wishing, remembrance donations to the Wintergreen Fund for Conservation would be appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to the MIRON-WILSON FUNERAL HOME, CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE, 150 Balsam St. S., Timmins. To light a memorial candle, make online donations or leave condolences, please visit www.mironwilson.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ray
Chenier 1936 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Timmins, Province: Ontario