RAYMOND CROSSMAN

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RAYMOND CROSSMAN After a brief illness which he bore with characteristic humour, patience and thoughtful consideration, Raymond Archibald Crossman passed away at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg, on 28th July, 2008. Born the 2nd of November 1919, in Mazenod, Saskatchewan, he was the son of Norman Crossman of Sackville, New Brunswick and Josephine MacNeil of Christmas Island, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and the descendent of a long line of pioneers who settled Massachusetts in the 1630s, New Brunswick in the 1770s, Cape Breton in the 1820s and Western Canada in the early years of the twentieth century. In 1927 Raymond, together with his parents, sister and brother left the family farm at Mazenod to live in Regina, Saskatchewan. Subsequently, he would never forget his early years on the Saskatchewan prairie and especially the industry and mechanical invention which was so much a part of that era, and for which he quickly demonstrated a natural facility. Years later his mother would recall how, at the age of seven, he was eagerly instructing bemused farm hands on how they might repair a stalled tractor. This precocious talent soon proved to be invaluable, allowing him, after the premature death of his father in 1931, to help his mother in a practical way, and in 1942, to enter the Royal Canadian Air Force. That same year, after a brief period in St. Thomas, Ontario, Raymond was posted to Middleton St. George, in the north of England. For a young prairie boy, wartime England was a great adventure and during these years he developed an admiration for that country and its people which he retained throughout his life. In the spring of 1945, with the war in Europe over, Raymond volunteered for service in the Far East and was soon on a ship heading to Halifax en route to the Pacific. However the rapid end of the war altered these plans, and by September 1945 he was home in Saskatchewan. Raymond was later to remark that this turn of events proved to be the most fortunate of his life since on arrival in Regina he found that several young women happened to be staying with his mother, among them a certain Lillian Lacy. Under these circumstances he could not but meet her, and when he did, he fell in love. A little over a year later, in October 1946, the young couple were married. The following year their first son, Robert, was born, and for the next 56 years they raised a family and lived a happy life, first in Regina and, after 1966, in Winnipeg. During a long career with Ford Motor Company and then in retirement, Raymond put the care of his wife and family at the forefront of his energies. Still, this did not deter him from helping others in need, wherever he found them, and enjoying the many and varied aspects of life, whether it be the company of friends and neighbours, the pleasures of music and the arts of performance, or the adventure of travel. At the end of a long life, he was able to leave behind many things for those he loved, but perhaps the most enduring, and in its own way remarkable, was his belief, evident in all he did, that despite the adversity that comes from time to time to all human beings, and the burdens we all invariably shoulder, life is a precious thing, to be shared and savoured and protected until the moment arrives, finally, to say, with gratitude and inevitable sadness, goodbye. Raymond Crossman was predeceased by his wife Lillian; son Norman; sister Doris and brothers, Douglas and Norman. He is survived by sons Robert (Cheryl), Kelly and Michael, grandchildren Aaron, Kristin, Kathryn and Daniele, great-grandchildren Hayley, Owen and Elora. A Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, August 5, 10:30 a.m. at the Parish Chapel of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, 17 Wing, Winnipeg, 2235 Silver Ave (off Whytewold St.) in St. James. Interment to follow at the Assumption Cemetery, 3990 Portage Avenue. Luncheon reception at Chapel Lawn 4000 Portage Avenue. His family would like to offer special thanks to the fifth floor staff at Grace Hospital for their kindness and consideration. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Share the Music program of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangments. 775-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2008