Raymond Joseph Reynard

It is with both sadness and profound love that we announce the passing of Ray Reynard on May 7th, 2025, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital after a short illness and a long-life, well lived. His last day was spent with his family whom he loved with a passion. He passed away surrounded with love and earthly angels who sang to him as he began his journey to Heaven. We know that he is at peace and playing golf on a course designed to challenge his skills. Ray’s daily life was rooted in God’s Word. He was devoted to reading the scripture and a passage from Our Daily Bread each morning and consistently praying for his family, friends and church community. He reminded us after every conversation to “look up” as that is where he taught us to seek guidance from God.

Ray was born in Bellevue, Alberta and was the eldest of six children. He was predeceased by his parents Anne and Joseph; his loving wife Thelma; younger brothers Brian and Edward; father-in-law August “Gus” Holmstrom; mothers-in-law Ethel and Margaret; sisters-in-law Edith “Sally” Stewart and Beverley Reynard, brothers-in-law Harold “Pun” Holmstrom, Fred Gagnon and Leamon Stewart; his sons David “Neil” and Duane; and grandson Sean Reynard. Ray never faltered in his faith. He remained purposeful and steadfast in his journey as a Christian and believed without a doubt that he would be welcomed with open arms by his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He served in the Baptist Church as a Sunday School teacher, usher and Deacon.

Ray is survived by his brothers Warren (Sharon) and Kenneth, sister Joanne Norlen and sister-in-law Joyce Reynard; daughter-in-law Cathy “Cat” and daughter Lois (Shayne) Bailey; grandchildren Alyssa (Josh) and Scott (Eryn) Bailey, Rychelle (Greg and daughter Abbey) Morrison; and great-grandson Lynden Bailey. He will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins from the Reynard, Rejman, and Holmstrom families. The Bird family held a special place in Ray’s heart. His best friend Sox is also mourning his passing and missing his company.

Ray and Thelma were married on November 11, 1950, at the Lakeside Baptist Church on Sixth St. South with a reception organized by Thelma’s Aunt Olga. They were forever grateful for her influence in their Christian lives. Their family began with the adoption of Duane in 1955, followed by Neil and Lois. We knew we had been chosen. Once Dad became “Grampa” he transformed with a new purpose to be a teacher and mentor. From sharing his love of crosswords, discussions about tiny ants and their colonies to the engineering of boats, cars and aircrafts, he had a repertoire of vast knowledge and grandiose words to share. He will be forever remembered for his stories and adventures as a caddie at the Kenora Golf Course prior to WWII, a junior cook (“cookie”) at one of the German Prisoner of War camps on Lake of the Woods, and as a fishing guide for Hook’s Camp. His tales would begin with a twinkle in his eye, a slightly crooked smile and often started with “now don’t

laugh”, which of course made us snicker and sometimes groan, but they always ended in a valuable lesson, of sorts. Most of the stories had a common theme centered around Lake of the Woods or Northwestern Ontario. “My Dad” loved the lake and instilled that love in his family. In 1965, “Reynard’s Island”, at the end of Welcome Channel, was purchased and it is there that our family and his brother Ed’s family spent their summers together. The weather was a daily topic. Precipitation, wind speeds, and cloud formations were analyzed in anticipation of the next thunderstorm or weather event. Our fondest memories will always be connected to the little island between Fox and Hare.

Ray and Thelma loved to travel and visited many islands in the Caribbean with their good friends Jim and Louise Groom. Once retired from his position in 1989 as an Industrial Training Consultant with the Ministry of Skills Development, Ray and Thelma spent many winters at their condo in Fort Myers, Florida. Friends and family were hosted and welcomed. March breaks included beach days followed by pool time that resulted in fresh sunburns and eventually golden tans. Mornings started with Grampa serving freshly squeezed orange juice and cut-up grapefruit and toast. Whether in Florida or at the “camp house”, Big Band music was often playing in the background while Grampa tapped his fingers to the beat while he talked about his favourite bands and genre. Games and cribbage were played in the evening until we were exhausted from the fresh air and sunshine. Gramma and Grampa loved spending time with the four grandchildren and doted on all of us. We were never allowed to do the “work of the union”. The chores were taken care of so that we could enjoy ourselves. The thousands of photographs and slides depict their adventures as a devoted young couple and their journey into retirement.

We are all incredibly grateful for the unconditional love and guidance given freely and the life lesson to live each day with gratitude.

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

A Celebration of Life for Ray Reynard will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday June 7, 2025, at Lakeside Baptist Church, Transmitter Road, followed by a light lunch.

Donations may be made to the Lakeside Baptist Church Youth Program or a charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank the first responders, Dr. Dooley and the 3rd Floor staff, the ICU team, Pastor John and Paula and the Lakeside Baptist Church family, Charlene Melillo and Joanne Norlen who held us together.

Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre entrusted with arrangements, but as a child of God, he is now in the arms of Jesus.