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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
ACTON, Raymond Alexander - Ray passed away peacefully at the age of 89 years on April 21, 2012. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Margaret and her family, son Reg (Fern), grandsons, Damon, Nathan & Travis, son, Lyle (Marie), grandsons, Derek & Todd (Laura) as well as his daughter-in-law Linda, grandson Raymond (Cindy), grand daughters Erin (Jason), Laurel (Dan) & Robin (Brian). At the time of his passing he had eight great grandchildren with the ninth born on April 24rd. Ray was pre-deceased by his wife Alethea and son Ron. He is survived by his sisters Lois Sword of Unity, Saskatchewan & Shirley Howie of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and brother Jack (Maureen) of Coquitlam and their families. Ray was born May 15, 1922 on a homestead near Lancer, Saskatchewan. He graduated from high school in Unity, Saskatchewan and like many young men during the war years he enlisted in the navy in 1942. Ray spent his time at sea on the HMCS Restigouche as a telegrapher until his discharge in 1945. After the war he returned home and took a machinist course in Saskatoon and it was there he met his future bride Alethea Mann. In 1947 Ray went west to Vancouver and started his career as a sheet metal worker. For a number of years he was a foreman with Nelson Blowers working on the blower systems for the many sawmills on the lower mainland and the interior of BC. Ray and Alethea were married in 1948 and raised their three sons in Vancouver and then Cloverdale. In 1966 they decided to leave their home at the coast and moved to Sirdar where they purchased and then operated the Tourist Hotel until 1977. During the hotel years Ray also had Acton's Septic Tank Pumping and was a regular with his 'honey wagon' up and down the lake road as well as all over the valley. After Ray and Al sold the hotel another business venture was the Creston Valley Laundramat. After Alethea passed away he sold this business and then truly retired. Ray, Alethea and the boys were always very close to Al's sister Florence and husband Norm Beddoes and their children, Beverly, Eileen, Diane and Ross. The two families spent many happy times together, camping and fishing and of course followed up with family dinners! An enduring friendship cherished through the years. Ray met Margaret Dodman and they were married in July 1998. After meeting Margaret, Ray sold his home at Sirdar on Duck Lake and moved to Creston to begin his town life. Ray always improved every house he lived in with many renovations and additions over the years and his home in Creston was no exception. A trait he passed on to his three boys. Margaret was the Greyhound Agent in Creston and soon put Ray to work delivering freight all over town. Anyone he didn't know before he sure knew then! Ray and Margaret spent many enjoyable years with his family and her eight children, grand children and great grandchildren dropping in at anytime to keep their days 'interesting'. Ray was a lifelong Legion member and spent many a Friday night playing darts and drinking a beer or two with his Legion pals. If at all possible Ray and Margaret were sure not to miss any breakfast or dinner at the Legion! He had a life well lived and we have many fond memories of him we will cherish in our own way and hope those that know him will do the same. The family would like to thank the staff from the Swan Valley Lodge for the wonderful care he received during the last part of his life. As an expression of sympathy donations can be made to a charity of one's choice. A celebration of his life was held at the Creston Royal Canadian Legion Br# 29 on Saturday April 28th, 2012 at 2:00 pm with Canon Randy Wood officiating. Cremation has taken place and the interment of ashes will take place at a later date in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Erickson, BC.
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