RAYMOND (RAY) STARKELL

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RAYMOND (RAY) STARKELL It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Ray Starkell on July 12, 2004, at the age of 78. Ray is survived by his wife of 51 years, Florence; his children, Cathie, Cindy (Robert) Newfield, Conrad (Kim), Chris (Gerry) Couture, Curtis (Gail), Colleen (Gary) Guglielmo and his grandchildren, Jillian, Daniel and Kirsten Newfield; Clayton, Ryan, Troy, Eric and Luke Starkell; Damon Hayes Couture; Sloan, Sage and Tate Starkell; and Anthony and Faith Guglielmo. He has also left behind his stepmother Alice Starkell; half-brothers, George Morgan and John Starkell and half-sisters, Geri McIntyre, Kathy Thibert and Deanne Klein. Ray took pride in his inner city roots, being born and raised on William Street in downtown Winnipeg. He loved to share stories about the old days. During the Second World War he enlisted with the RCAF and later met and married Florence Crowe. They remained inseparable, raising a family together in Elmwood and running a General Store on Talbot Street for 14 years. He retired from Greater Winnipeg Gas in 1986 subsequently enjoying time on the golf course and escaping each winter with Florence to spend a couple months in Texas. Together, they also ventured abroad taking trips to Europe, Australia and Asia. They shared their love of baseball. Ray was a fixture at the Winnipeg Goldeyes games, kitbitzing with staff and sharing his view of the game with anyone within earshot. Recognizing the importance of giving back to the community, Ray devoted many years of service to Unit 101 of the Khartum Shriners and to the Kildonan Branch of the Masonic Lodge, including a term as Grand Master. Rays family was the centre of his life and a tremendous source of pride. Whether it was hauling the six children off in the trailer to Thief River Falls for summer vacation or cheering them on at a sporting activity, the key was to encourage togetherness. The notion of family extended to friends and neighbours; there was always room for one more at the table. In fact, over the years, the house became home to more than one of his childrens friends and even to the occasional stray dog or cat. In his children he saw tremendous potential and was unwilling to see them settle for less than a university education, a challenging career and a life filled with happiness. Their individual successes today are his legacy. As the children established their own lives, the family continued to congregate regularly at "Ray and Flos" to celebrate a birthday, to enjoy a Sunday roast, or to share a barbeque beside the pool. In more recent years, Rays schedule revolved around his grandchildren. He spent countless hours attending hockey and soccer games and he could always be found in attendance at graduation ceremonies, school plays and music recitals. Ray did not walk quietly through life. He was the kind of man that left a deep impression on anyone who met him. He was colourful and gregarious. He held strong opinions on most things and never shied away from sharing his convictions. He had a terrific, if somewhat unique, sense of humour. He was proud and fiercely independent. Most of all, he had a heart of gold. He will be sadly missed. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, July 17 at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave. (Aubrey Street entrance). In lieu of flowers, donations in Rays memory can be made to the Khartum Shrine Patient Transportation Fund, 1155 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3P 1B9. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 15, 2004