Born in 1932 in Halifax, Nova Scotia he was the son of the late Harold and Stella Marie (Bouffard) Mombourquette. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Roy, John, Harold & Gerald, sisters Shirley (Wilson) of Halifax and Mildred Ross and her husband Donald (London, Ontario), daughter-in-law Lynn Keeping and first wife Ellen (MacNeil).
Ray attended school at Saint Mary’s Boys School, Saint Patrick’s Boys High School and graduated with a BA from Saint Mary’s University returning several years later to pursue his B.Ed. He worked for the Nova Scotia Research Foundation and London Life Insurance before completing his degrees and returning to the classroom where he pursued his true passion - teaching. He taught for many years at Herring Cove Elementary School and Brookside Junior High. He loved gardening and teaching because as he said, he loved “watching things grow”.
As well as gardening, he enjoyed many hobbies including lawn, alley and carpet bowling, golf, bridge, story-telling, corny jokes and acting in any performance. He was most proud of his years singing in various choirs (the Chebucto Community Singers, Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica and Saint Agnes church), he was involved in the Provincial Teachers Union and served as president of the Board of Directors for the NS Teachers Credit Union for many years. After retiring from teaching he and Irene enjoyed many cruises to the Caribbean and annual pilgrimages/bus tours to Ste. Anne de Beaupre. He was a member of Saint Agnes Parish where he volunteered many hours with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was a Lector, Eucharistic minister and visited the sick and shut-in. He also volunteered with the Spiritual Care department at the Veterans Memorial Hospital visiting those in the last stages of their diseases and with Irene for many years at Arborstone Enhanced Care. He was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1097, Archbishop McCarthy Assembly.
Ray never missed weekly mass and he and Irene spent every evening praying the Rosary together. Dad was a man of great love, faith and kindness, he treasured his family and friends. He and Irene loved nothing more than a gathering of friends, whether a foursome for bridge or hosting a large group of family and dear friends at the family home on Quinn street, with mom’s famous meat pies baking. Dad’s favourite saying was: “An ordinary guy couldn’t stand it”, he was no ordinary guy!
Thanks to paramedics, the staff of the Emergency Department of the Infirmary and medical staff on 8.1 who cared for dad and were so very kind. Special thanks to family members; uncle Ron, aunt Pat, aunt Marlene, Michelle and Melissa and friends; Tanya and Maura who all supported Bernadine and Ray in his last days and hours.
Survived by wife Irene (Berrigan, Halliday), daughter Bernadine Halliday and son Daniel, all of Halifax; two granddaughters, Mish Mannette and Tiffany (Sam Brison); brother Ronald (Patricia), Dartmouth; great-grandsons (Braedon & Jayce) and great-granddaughter (Nova); sisters-in-laws Jean (Buddy Kelly), Marlene Mombourquette and Jean Mombourquette, brother-in-law Bernie Wilson, many nieces and nephews.
Visitation to occur at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St, on Monday August 5th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Funeral Service will be held at St. Agnes Church, 6903 Mumford Rd, on Tuesday August 6th at 10am, officiated by Father Irek Bem. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 33 Old Sackville Rd.
In lieu of flowers donations should be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Saint Agnes Church.
For online condolences, please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com
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