Obituary of Raymond Alexander Stewart

STEWART ~ Raymond Alexander Stewart passed away at Maidstone Health Complex, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the age of 84 years. Ray leaves to mourn his passing: his loving wife, Bev; daughter, Raylene (Todd) Hope; two granddaughters: Jordyn and Devyn Hope; one brother, Ian (Eileen) Stewart; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray was predeceased by: his mother, Evelyn; father, George; three brothers: Lionel (Helen) Stewart, Bill (Mabel) Stewart, Alan (Gloria) Stewart; and one granddaughter, Tori Rayne Hope. Donations in memory of Ray Stewart may be made to Maidstone Hospital Palliative Care or Charity of Choice. RAY'S EULOGY by Dixie Young Good afternoon everyone, and thank you all for coming to celebrate Ray's life with us today. My name is Dixie Young, and I am honored to be here to talk about my friend. Helen Keller once said " What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose… All that we love becomes a part of us." Raymond Alexander Stewart was much loved, and we so enjoyed his company… so it will be… that he will forever be a part of us. Loving and devoted son, brother, husband, Papa, uncle, and friend.... Ray was born in Lashburn on October 21, 1930, to George and Evelyn. They lived on a farm in the McLaren district until Ray was about 16 years old, and then they moved into town. And, as luck would have it, they lived across the alley from us! Gramma Stewart made THE BEST cookies ever, and I used to tell Ray that I have been a part of their family since I was only about 7 years old… and he's been stuck with me ever since. Along with his brothers, Lionel, Bill, Allan and Ian, the boys settled into town life and school. Now, I'm not saying that the Stewart boys were BAD but… let's just say that they were always up for a good 'go around”. And those old cars and trucks, country dances and ball games…. and of course the young ladies… always kept them very busy! Once he was finished high school, off he went to live with Bill and Mable in BC. He spent a couple of years out there, working in a mill, and then returned to Maidstone to see what work he could find. He drove trucks, and worked on various farms, but, he felt it just wasn't what he was meant to be doing. In 1954, Ray was bitten by the 'rig bug'… so off he ventured to High River, Alberta, where he worked for Commonwealth Drilling. Life was good, he thought… and it soon got even better when he met a beautiful young lady by the name of Bev. Sparks flew… and before she could change her mind, he said, he up and married her! "No way", he said was she getting away… and she has been his soul mate for over 55 years now. They moved back here to begin their new life together in 1960. Ray got a job at the National Grain Elevator, and Bev got to know the Stewart family and the townsfolk. Times were tough, and he said that macaroni and porridge were what kept them going and in such great shape. But they had each other and were happy. In 1965, the family grew... When Raylene was born… there wasn't a prouder Dad to be found. She had his number right from the very first day… and right up until his passing. He simply adored his 'Muffet'. Ray went on to work for Algar Construction, T.A. McConnell and Sons, and he also drove a school bus. But… he wanted somehow, to provide more for his little family. He knew what he wanted... It was 'THE PATCH' calling him back. There is a special breed of man… more scarce than many... A certain type of man filled with true grit, a sense of adventure, and one who is not afraid to take on a challenge... These men choose a life working on the rigs. Nothing deters them from providing a good life for their loved ones. They work days on end, away from home. They handle all that Mother Nature throws at them… be it wind or rain, snow or heat. They sweat dirt, and mud, and oil. Although they don't want to miss the important happenings at home, they persevere. The saying goes that "If you give a piece of your heart to the patch… it will be a part of you…always." Ray was one such man... So off he went in '68 to work for Sedco Drilling. We are all blessed to have a family… as was he. But… Ray had not only his family, but Bev's in High River… who he loved dearly. And… over the years, he was blessed, he said, with yet another family… His 'BOYS'. Brian Krezie, Gary, KZ, and Bobby K, Lonnie, Radar, Raymond, And the Ritberger boys, to name just a few. Yes, he was their boss and mentor, and could at times, I'm sure, give a swift kick in the rear when needed. But, he thought the world of his "kids" and gave praise more often than not. He was so proud of all of the guys who worked so hard and advanced in the industry. When Raylene became of dating age, we were all feeling very sorry for the first boy who brought her home late.We thought "the wrath of Dad" would surely frighten the boys away… but not Todd. When he and Raylene got married, it was one of the few times I ever saw him cry. "Quite the great shindig" was what he said once the day was over, and he knew that his little girl would be well taken care of by yet another super family … The Hopes. Ray was a man who didn't require much to keep him content and happy. He talked many times of how the best trips he had were with dear friends, Gordon and Charlotte. They would go to BC salmon fishing and then can much of it to bring home. It was SOOOOO good. He was quite satisfied to drive their motor home out to Silver Lake and just relax, visiting with fellow campers and people dropping by. He loved to crank up the country and western music and sit around the camp fire telling stories… and jokes...This man could tell jokes to no end. Every time I phoned to chat with them, I knew I could count on at least 2 or 3 jokes somehow weedeling their way into our conversation. He was a volunteer fireman for the town for many years. I used to bug him about the "bright red phone" in their kitchen cuz he called it the "hot line". And I recall a fireplace incident one New Years Eve at their house when we nearly had to make use of it! A better neighbor you couldn't wish for. If someone needed a helping hand with yard work or something done to their car or house, he was always there to help. And he sure loved the many years, walking across the street to shoot the breeze with Mel and Norma. Need a ride to an appointment? Ray would pick you up and get you there and home safely. How he loved popping into Tru Cut Meats to kibbutz with the gang there and to sample the awesome jerky. Some of you probably don't know what a great photographer he was. It was a hobby he really enjoyed and did photos for many people and various events. We look at our wedding pictures, and they remind us of him and what a special gift it was to us to have him do them. Jordyn, Tori and Devyn... They were the joys of Papa's life, the twinkle in his eyes when he spoke of them was magical. He loved those precious girls more than words can say. When baby Tori left us to fly with the angels, he cried and said she took a piece of his heart with her. "The best thing about growing older", he'd say “is having these girls to share things with and to give them happy memories". I'm sure they have an abundance of them. What else do I remember? How he loved to tease... Especially nurses. When he had his pacemaker done, his wicked sense of humor, his being the WORST person ever to take to bingo, Sunny's breakfast on Sunday mornings, helping Bev and I pour coffee at Bill Lee's if we were busy, curried shrimp, and the love he had for Missy, their dog, for so many years… His un-ending giving of himself to whomever needed a hand, and I was one of the many people he helped. He took my kids under his wing when they were little, and from day one and forevermore, he will be "Daddy Ray" to them. We knew his door and his arms were always open to us. There are many wonderful memories I have, but some of them are just too long to get into, and maybe not quite appropriate for today. When Ray RETIRED after 30 years on the rig, I asked him "What’s next Dad"? He said "I don't know, Dicky, but I do know that I won’t be sitting around being bone idle". And, sure enough, off he went installing satellite dishes for Gregson's Starchoice. "Dad", we all would say, "you ought NOT to be climbing ladders and going up on roofs and such". But did he listen? NOOOOOOOO. The stubborn Stewart side won out yet again... The Anglican Church was very fortunate to have had Ray as their custodian for many years... Right up until he had his surgery. He and Bev attended services there and he did a mighty fine job of care taking the place and sure did enjoy the fellowship. When I visited with Ray after his surgery, he told me "Mom (Bev) and I have gone through a lot of health scares in the last few years, but we ARE fighters, and I won’t go down without giving it all I've got". How grateful we are that he put up one heck of a battle and gave us an extra year to have him in our lives. He was Bev's rock and the most compassionate caregiver to her when she needed it, and she and Raylene and Todd, Jordyn and Devyn, were his rock this past year. In closing... Let's not feel guilty in our laughter... Ray would know how much we care. And let us not feel sorrow… in a smile… he isn't here to share. We cannot grieve forever... And I know he would not want us to. He would say "Just carry on my friends… the way you always do" Today, let's talk about the good times... And show how much we care. Remember those days we spent together… the special moments we were all so blessed to share. Let's let his memory surround us… as we celebrate his life today. We'll be forever grateful for all our time with him… now that he has gone away. JUST KEEP IT TURNIN' TO THE RIGHT DAD Love always, Dixie