We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Wray Tsuji on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at the age of 79 years. He was born on July 22, 1943 to Juichi & Kiyoko Tsuji in Lethbridge, AB. Wray grew up in Taber where he made the first of many lifelong friendships. After graduating from Taber High School he attended Tech (SAIT) to study Aircraft Maintenance. From there he moved up to Whitehorse, YT then on to Churchill, MB, gaining career experience. He moved back to Whitehorse to work for CP Air and met his wife Gayle.
Less than 3 months later on Sept 18, 1965 they were married in an intimate ceremony at the local Air Force base chapel. The couple moved south when Wray’s work transferred him to Vancouver. Following several years of transferring between there, Calgary and Lethbridge for the company, during which time his 2 daughters were born, Wray decided to start his own company and WT Aviation Ltd opened its doors in 1973 in Taber.
When the Taber Municipal Airport was approved he built the first hangar there and also became the Airport Manager. During this time he was also active as an Instructor with the local Air Cadet Squadrons.
After running a very successful aircraft maintenance and sales business for almost 20 years, Wray sold his company and joined the Transportation Safety Board in 1991 as an Aviation Accident Investigator, where he remained until his retirement in 2013. Wray spent the following years enjoying the company of his family, playing with his grandchildren as they grew up, camping every possible chance he and Gayle got, and regularly meeting up with his many dear friends.
Left to mourn Wray is his wife of 57 years, Gayle; his children and their partners, Linda & Thomas Boyce, Chiyoko & Dennis Wong; and his grandchildren, Devon & Koneko Wong.
A Celebration of Wray’s Life will be held at Cuff'n Billy Club, 428 6 Ave SE Calgary AB T2G 0G7 on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation at www.albertacancer.ca.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family, via the website: www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.
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