October 1, 1926 – Vancouver, British Columbia
May 9, 2019 – Trail, British Columbia
Raymond Charles Speer passed away peacefully on May 9, 2019 at Poplar Ridge Pavilion in Trail, BC. Ray was predeceased by his son Richard (Dick) Speer on March 19, 2014 and leaves behind his spouse of 69 years Alison, daughters Sharon Campbell (Steve), Cochrane AB, Kathy Foskett (James), Kamloops BC and Daughter-in-law Kathy Langille of Fruitvale BC. He also leaves behind several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ray’s early childhood years were spent on a family farm in Southern Saskatchewan. In 1934 Ray moved with his father and stepmother to Vancouver. Ray and his wife Alison met as children in Lord Kitchener Elementary School and remained childhood friends and sweethearts right through their Lord Byng High School years.
Ray spent a brief time enlisted in the Canadian Arm Forces, and then continued his education at the University of British Columbia where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. While not in school during the summer months Ray worked as a fire lookout for the British Columbia Forestry service while waiting for Alison to complete her Registered Nursing program at Vancouver General Hospital.
In 1950 Ray settled in Rossland British Columbia, where he used his degree in Agriculture to secure a position as a Research Technician in the Fertilizer Plant at Cominco in Trail British Columbia. During his time in Rossland Ray also dedicated some of his time there as an Alderman and worked hard everyday to make a difference in his community.
In 1973 Ray moved his family to Elkford British Columbia after taking a position with Fording Coal Mining as a land and reclamation officer following open pit mining. While in Elkford Ray and Alison built a small commercial greenhouse where Ray grew plants from seedlings and had a small business selling bedding plants within the community. In 1979 Ray moved to Calgary Alberta to expand on his career with Fording Coal and then later secured a position with Montreal Engineering. Ray was well respected in the mining and land and reclamation community.
Ray spent the latter part of his life living in Fiji with his wife as he loved the warm tropical weather and wanted to pursue his dream of helping the native people in the farming industry. Ray spent his time in the farming industry there sharing his knowledge and expertise in Agriculture with the local people providing fresh produce to many of the local businesses there.
Ray spent the last four years of his life living at the Poplar Ridge Pavilion where he was loved by staff and other residents and gained the nickname of the “Cheesie guy” as he loved his Cheesies and Werther’s candies.
Ray will be greatly missed by all his family, friends and all who have known him throughout the years.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Raymond Charles Speer May 9th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique