RAYMOND DAVID TORGRUD -

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RAYMOND DAVID TORGRUD 1930 - 2010 Peacefully, on Saturday, November 6, 2010, Ray passed away at Victoria General Hospital at 80 years of age. Ray is survived by Karen, his loving wife of 56 years; his son Laine (Tania); daughter Julie (Kelly); his beloved grandson Caelan, to whom he was known as Buppa ; and many loving (Enno) in-laws, with whom he kept a close connection. He was predeceased by his father John, mother Naomi, sister Florence, her husband Pastor Victor Graham and their sons George and Gordon. Ray was born on June 28, 1930 in Red Deer, Alberta. It was there that he began his broadcast career in radio at CKRD. With the advent of television, he worked at CHCT Calgary and CHCA Red Deer, before a brief return to radio at CFUN in Vancouver. In 1960, Ray and Karen moved to Winnipeg for the opening of CJAY-TV, now CKY, where he performed a variety of announcing duties and spent many years as host of the public service show, Today's World. He loved the variety of his guests and the education he gained from interviewing such a diversity of people. He retired in 1992. In his private life, Ray was an avid reader with broad tastes. He took an interest in works of philosophy, history, and politics, and had a particular attraction to spy novels. His love of words was also expressed in the act of writing, an activity which provided a great deal of pleasure in his retirement years. Another great love of Ray's were his cats, which he doted on relentlessly, some of whom were acquired by virtue of his open door policy toward neighbourhood strays. Out of that open door, a passerby might hear Ray enjoying a variety of musical styles, from Western Swing, Jazz, and Blues, to The Big Bands. His favourite outdoor activity was golf, and he kept his drives straighter than those of his children right up to the end of his life. Ray was a loving and devoted father. Dad chauffeured countless car trips to the local playgrounds, the driving range, the Big Slipper , and favoured restaurants such as the Paddock, Skinners and The Red Boot. He also headed our many family vacation adventures and visits to relatives, all of which are a source of fond memories. As his children moved into adulthood, they found in their father a man whose gift of listening with acceptance was as valuable as the wise advice he offered. As a grandfather, Buppa got to skip the driving and listening duties and focus on being very silly. To Caelan's delight, he did very well indeed! The family would like to express their thanks for the excellent care provided by the staffs of the 2nd Floor and Intensive Care Unit of the Victoria General Hospital, and extend their gratitude to Dr. Duncan Inglis for his care and compassion. A celebration of his life will be held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre at 3030 Notre Dame Ave. (across from Brookside Cemetery) on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 9Z9 or to a charity of your choice. Forever In our Hearts NEIL BARDAL INC. FUNERAL CENTRE (204) 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2010