Raymond John Askin

Born May 14, 1921, he lived a good inning to 96 years. Mourning the passing of Raymond John Askin at 4:51 a.m. on Saturday, July 29 in St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital in St. Thomas, Ontario. He passed peacefully with a nurse at his side, succumbing to a brief battle with pneumonia. He is no longer suffering.

Pre-deceased by his wife of 48 years, Norma Frances Smith.

Loved father of Dean, father-in-law to Susan and grandfather to Kiersten. Loved partner of Patricia Rennie of Port Rowan, Ontario, for the past 10 years.

He was a gentle, big-hearted man who expressed his love through his actions. Raymond (Ray) will be missed by many friends, neighbours, and former Bell Canada colleagues to whom he was a mentor and inspiration. He will also be missed by nieces and nephews including Mark Askin, Keith Carr, Sheila May, Brenda Lightfoot, Diane Van Voorst, and Kirk & Mitchell White. As well, Ray is sorrowfully missed by the wonderful staff at Terrace Lodge in Aylmer, Ontario, where he had been a long-term-care resident since December 2016.

Raymond served his country in World War Two in the Royal Canadian Air Force on 405 Squadron, RCAF Bomber Command at Grandsen Lodge, Oxfordshire from 1942-45. He helped keep the bomber boys flying as a Leading Air Craftsman. LAC (retired), RCAF service no. R175277. Ray joined Bell in 1947 after returning from active service, and worked there for 38 years.

A visitation for Raymond will be held Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C1L3. A visitation will occur Friday, August 4, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C 3L1. A funeral service will occur Friday, August 4, 2017 at 1:00 PM at Giffen - Mack Funeral Home, 2570 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON, M4C 1L3. An interment will occur Friday, August 4, 2017 at 2:15 PM at Resthaven Cemetery, 2700 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON. Reception following the chapel service at Griffen-Mack will be held in the lounge beginning at 2 PM for guests who prefer not to attend interment ceremony at Resthaven. Reception 2:00-3:30 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.giffenmackdanforth.com for the Askin family.