Mr. Ray Rinta

Born August 1 1925 passed away March 1 2011.

Survived by his wife Irja, Daughter Marian (Chris), Grandchildren Jeremy, Stephen and Cassandra, and son Roy. Ray was predeceased by grandson Jaime Ray. Ray was born into a farming community of Laihia in Finland, as a teenager he served in the Finnish army during WWII, and became a tool and die maker after the war. Ray immigrated to Canada in 1951 where he lived in East Vancouver, and worked for the GVRD until retiring in 1985. Ray was very involved with the origin of many Finnish Canadian community organizations, including the creation of the Finnish Canadian Rest home on Harrison Drive where he lived for his final 20 years, the founding of the Finnish Heritage Society, and involvement with the Finnish Manor. He was a regular contributor to the Finnish newspaper, writing about his many travels throughout the world, and including the photographs he took while travelling. Hobbies other than writing and photography included the breeding of Finnish Spitz dogs, the growing of Cacti and Hoyas, and the making of Bolo Ties from items he found or bought in his travels. Ray was active and healthy and loved travelling, either by himself or with his good friend Pastor Jokisaari, until suffering from several strokes and heart attacks in his final 5 years. Ray will be missed by his daughter Marian and her family who will miss the talks with grandpa.

A celebration of Ray's life will be held at the Finnish Manor, 3460 Kalyk Avenue Burnaby on Friday March 18 at 1:00pm

Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Burnaby, BC.