Raymond KEY

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KEY: Raymond Alfred. With sadness the family announces the passing of Ray Key, Monday, June 24th, 2013 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Dad was born March 14th, 1929. He spent most of his life in Brandon, growing up in difficult times, going to school here and playing hockey with the Brandon Elks and the Brandon Athletics. He was their goaltender. He learned early on that hard work was a necessity. He was a paper boy, usher at the theatre and grocery delivery boy earning at most two dollars a week. He worked at a garage and tire shop learning valuable skills. In 1947, he began a 42 year career with CP Rail, starting as a fireman then progressing to an engineer. He travelled far and wide to maintain his railway job and thus support his family. He worked in Winnipeg, Kenora, Thunder Bay, Minnedosa and his last 5 years he worked the mine train in Bredenbury, SK. Dad married our Mom, Doreen Ramsden in 1951 and soon after, Bill was born in 1952 and Carolyn in 1953. He was a good carpenter and built his family home which he lived in until his passing. He also built a cabin which was moved to Clear Lake. Everything he built was made with care and precision. Mostly Mom and Dad loved Sportsman’s Park at Clear Lake. They had various travel trailers over the years but in the latter years, purchased a mobile home. Here they relaxed and visited with friends and family. Dad and Mom loved fishing and Dad also loved to golf. Our family had some enjoyable camping trips to Kenora, Western Canada and the Black Hills. We also had a train trip to Vancouver and a ferry ride to Victoria. Dad was a good cook, making stew, steak, home-made fries and pan fried pickerel. He was dedicated to Mom and cared for her tirelessly during her illness and struggles. Mom passed away in 2000. After her passing Dad retreated to his home, quietly reading, watching TV and enjoying visits from family and friends. Dad’s sister, Gwen, was seven years younger and he was big-brother and protector. He enjoyed teasing her and did so right until the end. Dad was predeceased by his mother Florence Maude Key in 1955, his father, Fred Key in 1974, his step-mom Maude (Mansfield) Key in 1999 and his dear wife Doreen in 2000. He leaves to mourn his passing, son Bill Key (Aneta Kenny), daughter Carolyn (Chris) Judd, one grandchild, Pam (Joey) Beaudry, great grand-daughters Rhys and Kenadi Beaudry, sister Gwen (Orv) Vickers, nieces Linda Vickers and Brenda (Bruce) Evans, Nicole and Dustin Harland, nephew Jim (Marlene) Atkinson and other cousins and family. A celebration of Ray’s life was held Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at Memories Chapel with Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood officiating. Interment followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. Donations in memory of Ray may be made to ALS Canada, 3000 Steeles Ave, Suite 200, Markham, ON, L3R 4T9 or The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Unit 1, 452 Dovercourt Dr., Winnipeg, MB, R3Y 1G4. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jul 20, 2013