GEORGE RAYMOND

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GEORGE RAYMOND "RAY" GOWING George Raymond "Ray" Gowing of Manhattan Beach, Pelican Lake, MB passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2004 at the Wawanesa Care Home. His loving wife Eileen predeceased him on October 13, 2003. Ray was born in Belmont, MB on May 10, 1917 to Roy and Emily (nee Templeton) Gowing. His early days in Belmont found Ray involved as a choirboy in Christ Church and in a newly formed Boy Scout Troup. He and his brother Jim enjoyed playing guitar, trumpet, and singing for the fall suppers and concerts. Early career choices included egg grading and running the dance pavilion at Manhattan Beach with his beloved mother Emily. He joined the R.C.A.F. in December 1940 and was stationed in Moncton, St. James, Dauphin, Abbotsford, Carberry and Neepawa. On May 23, 1942 he married his lovely "red head" Eileen Pearson. The ceremony was performed by the brides father, Rev. T.B. Pearson at Knox United, Belmont. They honeymooned at Clear Lake. Ray, Jim and their father Roy, a butcher, ran the Arcade Grill until 1949. There were four children born to Ray and Eileen: son Brian, who predeceased them at the age of 6 months, daughter Chauna and twin boys Blake and Blain. They were subsequently blessed with ten adored grandchildren. Ray moved the family to Brandon in 1950, becoming a Purchasing Agent and later Hospital Administrator at the Brandon Sanatorium. In that capacity, they transferred to Cardston, AB; Inuvik, NWT and Edmonton, AB. In 1966 he became the District Manager of the Canadian Pension Plan until his retirement to their cottage property on Pelican Lake. His hobbies included designing and building two beautiful homes and helping to restore Christ Church for its 100th anniversary in 2001. He and Eileen had a passion for gardening and continued to share musical evenings with family and friends on the trumpet and Hammond Organ. The visits from their children and grandchildren were filled with many special memories of campfire singsongs and beach and boating activities. Ray loved sharing history and stories of the characters in his life that he had met and there were quite a few! They enjoyed many winters in Hawaii and Vancouver and their travels took them to the Pacific Rim countries and New Zealand, Australia, France and England. They especially enjoyed researching and documenting genealogical history of family in the Norfolk, England area. Ray will be very sadly missed as a wonderful father, delightful grandfather and "The Mayor" to dear friends at Manhattan Beach and the Manhattan Beach Pentecostal camp folks. Cremation has taken place, service and interment will follow at a later date. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of Ray to the Anglican Christ Church, Belmont, MB R0K 0C0, the Belmont Historical Society, Belmont, MB R0K 0C0 or to a charity of choice. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to memorieschapel@mts.net Arrangements are with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. \r

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 17, 2004