Raymond Clarence GILL

Ray passed away peacefully November 7th, 2013, in the Palliative Care Unit at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in his 86th year.  He was born December 21,1927  in Manchester, England and is the youngest of seven siblings.  Ray was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Alice Gill; brother, Alfred; sisters Lilian, Alice, Clarice, and Dorothy.  Ray is survived by Margaret, his loving wife and best friend of 57 years; son, Richard - grandchildren Chelsea and Tyler and their mother Cheryl;  daughter. Alison (Mitchell) - grandchildren Nathan and Devon; brother, Roy in England; and many nieces and nephews in England, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. 

A private family graveside service will be held at Qualicum Beach Cemetary at a later date.

At the age of twelve, Ray was evacuated to Derbyshire in September 1939, returning to Manchester to complete his education and air cadet training during the war years.  At seventeen, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force, (RAF (VR) 1945-1948) training at the Royal Air Force photographic school, Farnborough, England, he served as a photographer with Coastal Command Photographic Reconnaissance units in England and overseas at RAF Base Seletar, Singapore.

Competitive in sports, he excelled at football (soccer) and was selected for many teams during his school, cadet and service years; later Northern English Leagues.

Ray was a design graduate of the Royal College of Science and Technology, Salford, Lancashire, and a student of law and economics at the Manchester College of Commerce.

Ray and Margaret emmigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 1957.  As a resident of North Vancouver, he was one of four founding members of the Mount Seymour Soccer Association.  Ray coached and managed junior teams during 60s and 70s through 1st division and later senior select teams for the N.S.S.A.  For many years a member of the Vancouver YMCA, a regular sea wall jogger, and ardent squash player.  Ray was a member and Past Worshipful Master of Masonic Vimy Lodge  #97, Vancouver, BC and a proud Canadian citizen.

As a former member of PMAC, Ray  was recognized by his colleagues for his contribution to the organization and respected for his integrity and business ethics.  He served as Vice Chairperson for the International Group - PMAC Canada,  actively involved for many years managing procurement activities for engineering and construction companies serving the petro-chemical, municipal, and pulp and paper industries building E.P.C. projects across Canada.

Ray retired in 1987 from a diversified Vancouver based domestic and international construction company. During his retirement, he and Margaret travelled extensively, and continued with his golfing, photography and genealogical interests, completing the family genealogy to the 17th century.

Ray was proud of  his children and grandchildren, and all their achievements. He enjoyed his rose garden, and the many colourful displays created and nurtured by Margaret each summer. An adventurous soul and Lancashire wit, we will miss him very much.

   ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS