Philip Raymond Goring

We regretfully announce the recent passing of Philip Raymond Goring (Ray), after a brief illness at the age of 95. He was born in Derby, England and met Marj, the love of his life, at the age of 16, they were married for close to 75 years.

He enlisted in the Army and trained as a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery. During his military career he was an accomplished boxer, winning several bouts with a KO. He enjoyed gardening, growing roses was his specialty, fishing, and football, enthusiastically supporting the Derby County Rams and then the Vancouver Whitecaps. He coached his son's soccer team for several years. He was a Canuck Fan (most of the time) we could always tell when the game wasn't going their way!

He worked as a pipefitter/plumber for railways, shipyards, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants and other industrial plants. Ray emigrated to Canada with his family in 1966 taking the SS Empress of England across the Atlantic to Montreal, then traveled by train across Canada and settled in Squamish and Vancouver for a brief time, then lived in Burnaby, Surrey, Chilliwack, Vernon and finally Lumby, BC.

After early retirement from the pipefitter trade he spent over ten years as a Commissionaire at the Vancouver International Airport and is an honorary lifetime member. He was a member of both the British and Canadian Legions. He and Mum belonged to an expat British Club called the Merseyside where many lifelong friends were made and were a big part of our family as we had no relatives living in Canada. There were bus trips to Reno, Vegas and other US destinations with lots of other social gatherings including the annual kids Christmas party which we all have fond memories of. Ray and Marj traveled to England and New Zealand to spend time with family as well as Spain, France, Hawaii, Fiji, Australia and various trips to the USA.

Dad was quite a handyman and loved to DIY everything! He was always doing a "bit of decorating" and built a British pub in his basement where there were many fun filled evenings raising a glass, singing the old songs and dancing. He was always there to support family and friends (and strangers too), in any way possible and many of us benefited from his generosity, Dad instilled many of his values and work ethic to all the generations of his family.

Ray is survived by his wife, Marjorie; children, Philip (Jo Ann), Alison (David), and Ian (Dayle); Grandchildren, Kimberley and Kevin, Torin (Megan) and Vanessa (Cody), and Aaron, Megan and Alanna (Denby). Great grandchildren Max and Alyssa, Scarlette, and Evelyn and Ian; Brother, Roy (Dora) and Sister, Maureen (Bill), many nieces and nephews in England and New Zealand.

He was predeceased by his mother, Hilda, father Albert, step mother Phyllis, infant brother Brian, brother Barry and sister-in-law Ada.

Dad dealt with many health issues in his later years as well as living with dementia for a very long time. We would like to thank our Mum for the love and devotion she showed in her care of him until her own health declined.

We would also like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Monashee Mews for their care of Ray for the last 4 and a half years, and the continued care of our Mum.

As requested there is no service and cremation has taken place.

Gone but never forgotten, in our hearts forever. TTFN