Deagle, Raymond Alexander, aged 67 passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 4th in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital.
Raymond “Ray” Alexander Deagle was a wonderful person that was loved, will be missed, and will never be forgotten.
Ray lived a large full life, born in Inverness on Feb 9th, 1953, the second oldest child to Peggy and Johnny Deagle. While he was one of eleven children, he was also one of a kind. Ray would go on to spend his childhood growing up in Inverness and was considered part of the fabric of Cape Breton Island. If there was a laugh to be had or a kind gesture to be made, you could count on Ray to be behind it all. He had a smile that would light up a room and the personality to fill it.
Over the course of Ray’s working life, he travelled all over the world to places such as Indonesia, Africa, and Guatemala making many friends abroad and always returned home where his heart is, as nothing was more important than was his family and friends. Those who knew Ray, knew that a cup of tea and a sandwich would set the scene for a great visit and some good laughs.
There are many memorable qualities that come to mind when remembering Ray, and above all, Ray loved his family with all his heart. He was kind and generous and would do anything for the ones he loved. He would often say “If you can’t ask family, who can you ask?” Ray held a devotion like none other to his brothers and sisters regardless of where they lived, he practiced what he spoke of, and held the bond of family close to his heart at all times.
Ray took extreme pride in his three girls (Monica, Audrey, & Katie) and supported them to be strong-minded and as independent as he was. Ray’s grandchildren meant the world to him and kept him young at heart. This love extended to all of his nieces and nephews, he loved them like his own and was genuinely interested in what was happening for them and their successes in life. Raymond also loved horses, (almost as much his family), with countless hours spent at the Inverness Raceway, his love for racing and cheering on all his buddies will be sorely missed by all.
Ray lived his values of knowing what mattered most in this life and was true to himself. Ray would say exactly what was on his mind and if you thought differently, well then that was ok; but it would not change his mind. He taught us a lot about love, laughter, and loss however nothing could prepare for the loss we now feel with his passing.
Raymond is survived by his loving wife, of 45 years, Patricia Alice Deagle (MacNeil); along with three children; Monica Gretchen (Ian) of Regina SK, Audrey Deagle (Chris) of Antigonish NS, and Katie Benedict Deagle of Inverness NS. Grandchildren, Steele and Yari Gretchen, Ayden Deagle-Larkin, Skyler and Carter Benedict Deagle and Great Grandchild Everly Gretchen. Ray is survived by his 10 siblings; Lawrence, (Patricia), Guysborough, Clare Gracewood, (Mike), Halifax, Kevin, (Angela), Inverness, Tina Larson, (Karl), Kentville, Campbell, (Monique), Edmonton, Cathy Deagle Gammon, (Percy), Fall River, Walter, (Gina), Inverness, Janice AuCoin, (Paul), James, (Annette), Halifax, Sandra Cripps, (Doug), Regina.
He was predeceased in death by his parents, Peggy and Johnny Deagle and his dear friend Christine.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, Feb 8th, in Stella Maris Church Inverness with Fr. Dan MacDonald officiating, burial in the parish cemetery at a later date.
Family flowers only, memorial donations can be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society, P.O. Box 610, Inverness Nova Scotia.
Online condolences can be made at www.invernessfuneralhome.com
