Obituary
It is with profound sadness, Carol, Scott (Shannon), Nicolle (Carrington), Malcolm and Farrah advise that their beloved Husband, Father and Papa passed away on Saturday evening, November 26, 2022 with Carol and his children by his side.
Ray was born on June 16, 1944 in Conquest, Saskatchewan where his mother, Gladys and father Earle owned and operated the Merchant Hotel. Ray’s father died when Ray was two, and the family moved to Penticton where they owned and operated the Skaha Lake Motel and Store for sixteen and a half years.
Ray spent his early years attending Pen High where he was introduced to curling that remained a passion he carried all his life.
Ray made many life long friends and it was easy to understand why. He was kind, loyal and always thought of them in latter years, keeping in touch with many.
After school, Ray went to work at Levitt Safety in Vancouver with a family move to Nanaimo where he opened an office for Levitt and travelled the Island. Ray and his boss, Bill Adams remained life long friends.
Both Scott and Nicolle were born in Nanaimo. After years on the Island, the family moved back to Penticton to raise the family. Ray spend 30 plus years working for Chris Parker at Parker Chrysler and his later years, he worked for the Lunelli family at Subaru of Penticton. Thank you Christina for all your kindness shown to Ray. Right up to the end, he was talking to nurses and doctors about Subaru vehicles.
When Scott and Nicolle were growing up, their home was affectionately known as the Prime Hotel. Ray always opened his home to all the children’s friends. He had a kind ear for listening and big shoulder if you needed one to lean on.
You would often find him wearing his cowboy hat, listening to Willie Nelson with Scott and the boys or attending a dance recital with Nicolle and her friends.
He loved his brother in law, Jack (Lina) Tillar and his two beautiful nieces, Jennifer and Jacquie, along with Great nephew William. The two families spent many years in Bucerias, Mexico (thank you Carol and Paul) where he also made friends for life.
Ray loved his sister, Gloria (Prime) Tomkin and his niece Carrie and family.
He was Uncle Ray to Carrie and Cathy Carlsen. The two families had many years of fun together. Thank you Don for your phone calls to Ray near the end.
Thank you to Don Wood, Richard Brown, Bill Adams, Joanne Downes and Barry Kidd for your friendship and always keeping in touch.
There is an Irish quote that says, “Better to be a man of character, than a man of means.” That is how Ray lived his life. He was a man who was very gracious, selfless and put others before himself.
May the Irish angels carry you home Papa. We love you.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Kidney Foundation.
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June 16 1944 November 26 2022 78 Years Old
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Raymond Earle Prime June 16 1944 November 26 2022 78 Years Old..
Death notice for the town of: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique