Timothy Derek Ray

He is survived by his partner of nearly thirty years, Kathy Coulthart-Dewey, and children Derek (Sonia Talwar), Kimberley Menounos (Brian), Rebecca (Gilda Shannon), Tristan (Emily Jamieson), step-daughter Kristen Cavanagh-Ray (Paul Belhumeur), step-son Adam Cavanagh, step-son Kris Dewey (Ange), and daughter Eleisa Lambach with whom he connected in 2024. Tim leaves his grandchildren, Nathan and Orrin Menounos, Avalea and Sequoia Ray, Holly and Brooklyn Ray-Simard, Avani Ray, Elliot and Juliette Cavanagh, and Hadley and Dillon Dewey. Other family members who are feeling Tim’s loss include his younger brother, Jeremy Ray (Carol), nephews Chris and Jason and their families, step-mother Mary Ray, Canadian cousins Jan Main and Susan Cargill as well as British cousins, Simon Read and Nicola Wilson (Roger).

Tim was born in Cheltenham, England on October 13, 1942 to Albert (Bert) H. Ray and Joan M. Ray née Gater. In 1948, his family moved to Canada and settled in Toronto High Park then moved to Weston, ON where Bert worked at the A.V.Roe Canada facility (Avro) then moved to Caledon, ON until the Avro Arrow project was cancelled, at which point he pivoted to his trade as a cabinetmaker and house building while Joan grew the family antiques business in Bolton.

A graduate of Wilfred Laurier University (BA ’65) and the University of Ottawa (LL.B ’70), Tim was a civil litigator practising insurance and personal injury law for more than three decades. In 1972, he was called to the Ontario bar and then called to the bar in British Columbia in 2006. He met Helen Hayward during his time at Wilfred Laurier University and in 1966, they married and moved to the Ottawa area where Tim first worked for the House of Commons, then pursued his Bachelor of Laws at Ottawa University. Together they had four children: Derek, Kim, Becca and Tristan while living in Aylmer, QC Helen and Tim divorced in 1984, and Tim moved with the children to Almonte, ON where he enjoyed life on a hobby farm, the daily commute to Ottawa and where the kids were active in school, sports and music. In 1985, he married Catherine Cavanagh (née Kubrak) and they created a lively household with the addition of Catherine’s children, Adam and Kristen (almost a full baseball team in the house!). Following his divorce from Catherine, Tim found his life partner in Kathy Coulthart-Dewey in 1996.

Professionally, Tim contributed to the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Commission in the 1970s and the McDonald Commission in the early 1980s, this latter legal work provided a foundation for Tim that formed a core direction for his career. He was a partner with Hamilton-Ray (1980-85), Hughes-Laishley (1985–90), Beament-Green (1990-2007).

In 2007, Tim got his dream job; he was appointed and sworn to the bench as a Justice for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, hearing cases throughout the Ottawa Valley for a decade before retiring in 2017. He was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012), and the Gordon Henderson Lawyer of the Year Award. A community-minded person, Tim was an active member of the scouting community throughout the 1970s and 1980s, attending many Jamborees. He spent a number of years teaching courtroom advocacy each spring at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He served as board member and Chair of the Almonte General Hospital board and was involved in the piping community in the Ottawa valley for nearly twenty years (1990-2007), including the National Capital Region RCMP Pipes, Drums and Dancers.

Tim led an active lifestyle, enriched by his many hobbies. His love of camping, skiing, canoeing, and hiking was passed on to his children during their early lives over the course of countless summer trips and winter adventures. Both Tim and Kathy got their pilot licenses and enjoyed flying a great deal - they even travelled from Ontario out to BC by small plane and he relished the opportunity to see parts of Canada along the way. Following his retirement, Tim and Kathy moved to Comox nearly ten years ago where they were both active ski instructors at Mt Washington. Also in his retirement, Tim enjoyed playing the bagpipes in the local pipe band, and watching Kathy’s weekly horse rides. He recommitted to his faith and became a Warden and Lay Minister with St John the Divine Anglican Church, During the Covid pandemic, Tim was proud to deliver Celtic Christian services via Zoom from the Garry Oak grove at St. Andrew’s church in Comox to those who were not able to gather.

In 2024, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma which set him on a difficult journey in his final few years. The family thanks his medical team at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley for the extraordinary care, kindness and support during his illness. In particular Dr Willem Prinsloo and the nurses in the cancer care and medical daycare clinics who brightened otherwise difficult visits.

The family invites all who wish to celebrate his life to join us on Saturday, October 17th (3 to 5 pm) at Kin Beach where we will have music and share memories of our time with Tim. A small service will be held beforehand at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Comox for immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Myeloma Canada or Scouts Canada.