Joseph Russell Bray

1937 - 2016

Joseph of Acton, 77, died following a brief illness at Milton District Hospital July 16th. Arctic explorer, scientist, educator, long distance runner, stained glass artisan, and above all devoted husband of Melanija, and father to Paul (deceased), Mark (Sarah), Melanie (Ben) and Peter (Riina). Proud and loving grandfather of Tessa, Sophie, Liam and Ronin. In his professional life Joe Bray was a model of integrity and fairness; to his family, his deep, searching intellect, self-sacrifice, discipline, kindness, and vast good humor was always an inspiration. Joe Bray lived his life putting others before himself, and his greatest joy was in supporting the accomplishments and successes of his family. His abiding love of nature was reflected in his few indulgences including marathon running, kayaking, and rock climbing, which he pursued with typical great energy and enthusiasm. It is with the greatest sadness that we say our farewell to him so soon.

“Have you suffered, starved and triumphed, grovelled down, yet grasped at glory,

Grown bigger in the bigness of the whole?

'Done things' just for the doing, letting babblers tell the story,

Seeing through the nice veneer the naked soul?

Have you seen God in His splendours, heard the text that nature renders?

(You'll never hear it in the family pew.)

The simple things, the true things, the silent men who do things–

Then listen to the wild–it's calling you.”

― Robert W. Service, The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses

A private ceremony will be held by the family at a future date

On-line condolences may be made at www.mackinnonfuneralhome.com

MacKinnon Family Funeral Home

(519) 853-0350 or 1-877-421-9860 (toll free)