Obituary for Raymond Leon Lemay
Raymond passed away peacefully at Queen’s Park Care Centre on October 15, 2020, with his loving wife, Claudia, by his side. Raymond was days away from his 85th birthday, and all would agree that he led an exemplary life.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Claudia, his three children, Lionel Lemay (Paula), Lise Jourdain (Raymond) and Gerald Lemay (Felisha), and his eight grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy), Matthew, Brian, Crystal (Andrew), Joseph, Justin, Bradley, and Evan, and his one great granddaughter, Emily Rae. He is also survived by three of his brothers, Ernest (Marguerite), Roland (Dolina), and Tony (Colleen), and his brothers-in-law Bernard and James. Raymond is predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Germaine, his brothers, Lucien (Beatrice) and Daniel (Simone), and his sisters, Annette and Lorraine.
Raymond was born in Iron River, Alberta in 1935 on a 160-acre farm. In 1944, Raymond’s father Antonio and mother Germaine moved the family to Lacorey, Alberta and continued farming. In 1947, Antonio and Germaine then moved the family to Maillardville (Coquitlam). Raymond said that initially he found Maillardville too crowded, but he eventually settled in and stayed for the rest of his life. Raymond started working in 1952 with Canada Western Cordage, then in 1956 worked for a period as a telegrapher for CPR, stationed between Revelstoke and Golden. Eventually he started working for Canadian Forest Products, where he stayed for 42 years; the last 28 years working as a welder.
Although Raymond first met his wife, Claudia Finnigan, in grade eight, they did not start dating until they both started attending Catholic Youth Organization gatherings three years later. Raymond and Claudia were married in 1958 and raised three wonderful children in the Maillardville area. His life was filled with dedicated hard work, happy family life, including annual camping vacations, bowling, golfing, and fishing. When he was a young father, he enjoyed playing fastpitch softball and encouraged his boys to play hockey and his daughter to pursue athletics, including gymnastics and ice skating. Later in life he enjoyed watching sports. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes masses regularly and volunteered many hours at the church, as well as at his children’s schools, at Centre Bel Age Seniors Club, and for other friends, family or organizations that needed his help.
Those who knew him well will remember him for his sense of humour, his moral courage, his kindness, and his quiet dignity. He was very much loved and will be missed every day.
No public service will be held due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Raymond is survived by his wife, Claudia, his three children, Lionel Lemay (Paula), Lise Jourdain (Raymond) and Gerald Lemay (Felisha), and his eight grandchildren, Sarah (Jeremy), Matthew, Brian, Crystal (Andrew), Joseph, Justin, Bradley, and Evan, and his one great granddaughter, Emily Rae. He is also survived by three of his brothers, Ernest (Marguerite), Roland (Dolina), and Tony (Colleen), and his brothers-in-law Bernard and James. Raymond is predeceased by his parents, Antonio and Germaine, his brothers, Lucien (Beatrice) and Daniel (Simone), and his sisters, Annette and Lorraine.
Raymond was born in Iron River, Alberta in 1935 on a 160-acre farm. In 1944, Raymond’s father Antonio and mother Germaine moved the family to Lacorey, Alberta and continued farming. In 1947, Antonio and Germaine then moved the family to Maillardville (Coquitlam). Raymond said that initially he found Maillardville too crowded, but he eventually settled in and stayed for the rest of his life. Raymond started working in 1952 with Canada Western Cordage, then in 1956 worked for a period as a telegrapher for CPR, stationed between Revelstoke and Golden. Eventually he started working for Canadian Forest Products, where he stayed for 42 years; the last 28 years working as a welder.
Although Raymond first met his wife, Claudia Finnigan, in grade eight, they did not start dating until they both started attending Catholic Youth Organization gatherings three years later. Raymond and Claudia were married in 1958 and raised three wonderful children in the Maillardville area. His life was filled with dedicated hard work, happy family life, including annual camping vacations, bowling, golfing, and fishing. When he was a young father, he enjoyed playing fastpitch softball and encouraged his boys to play hockey and his daughter to pursue athletics, including gymnastics and ice skating. Later in life he enjoyed watching sports. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes masses regularly and volunteered many hours at the church, as well as at his children’s schools, at Centre Bel Age Seniors Club, and for other friends, family or organizations that needed his help.
Those who knew him well will remember him for his sense of humour, his moral courage, his kindness, and his quiet dignity. He was very much loved and will be missed every day.
No public service will be held due to Covid-19 restrictions.