Doug Ray, raised in a log cabin in the middle of what is now known as Wells Gray Park, loved to share stories of his childhood. The son of a trapper named John Bunyan Ray and his homesteading wife Alice (nee Ludtke), he grew up deep in the forest with his older sister Nancy and younger brother Bob.
Now a national heritage site, the Ray Farm was left behind when John died and the rest of the family moved to Blackpool, BC, where Doug became a star athlete and pupil at Clearwater High. Although he received a scholarship at UBC to study geology, he had to delay the move to Vancouver as he had no money and had been supporting himself since he was 13. Always a hard worker, once at UBC he excelled again, but despite his isolated upbringing, the work up north proved to be too remote and he soon packed his bags to enter the first MBA class offered at the University of Toronto.
In Toronto he met Jeanne Blair and they had a son named Robert. After Jeanne, Doug married Connie Clayson, who would become his wife until she passed in 2017. While he gained experience within the financial districts of Montreal and Toronto, Doug and Connie began raising two children, David and Diana.
In 1974, after missing the west coast and wishing for a change, Doug moved his family to Vancouver and eventually purchased The Imperial Salmon House, a gamble that proved to be a brilliant career decision. A little time later, he and Connie opened up a retail outlet for the smoked salmon business (Smokehouse Foods) in the newly developed Granville Island Public Market. A few years later they expanded again by opening Imperial Gourmet Foods at Robson Public Market.
Through it all, Doug had a good life enjoying the fruits of his labour all the while dabbling in other business ventures and investments before retiring in his late 50's. He had a wonderful sense of humour and insight, which was reflected in his many writings and in his poetry. He loved words in all forms, from crossword puzzles to limericks. He enjoyed hiking, stamp collecting, watching sports, music and film, great food, reading and, of course, traveling the world. Doug thrived when discussing current events and cried when saying goodbye to his beloved pets. He was always true to himself.
He greatly influenced all who he encountered through his creativity, intellect, understanding and independence. He touched many lives: his family, his buddies at Eldercollege, his social circles and friends (the Greek Six!), and even his children's friends who remember the family home as being a safe and supportive place back in the day, with Doug on hand to pay for mysterious pizzas or to just be there. Family and friends were everything to Doug and he was at his best when surrounded by loved ones; often regaling them with stories of his life and his travels while enjoying a fine bottle of wine, or a cheap bottle of port.
He is survived by his brother Bob (Carol), his children David and Diana (Andrew Rainsley), daughter in law, Angeline Proudhon (widow of Robert Blair who passed in 2011) and grandchildren Annie and Finn. Family in his later years broadened to include the patient and loving aides who cared for him, most especially Teresa Avelino.
Doug Ray passed away peacefully at Inglewood Care Centre, and the family is immensely grateful for the care that he was given. Shortly before he died, when asked where his happy place was, Doug responded without hesitation that it was a large black elm tree by that log cabin in Wells Gray Park, where he would sit on a branch and talk for hours with his brother and sister. This is the spot where we intend to scatter his ashes in the spring.
Please join us for a celebration of his life at Boal Chapel in North Vancouver on May 11th, 2024 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to his favorite charity, Operation Smile.
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