Obituary

It is with profound sadness that the family of Ray Thomas announces his peaceful passing on July 9, 2023, at the age of 94 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Lisa and son-in-law Mike Smith; grandchildren: Andrea (Chris) Joughin, Scott (Kim) Smith, Kevin (Katie) Smith, and Robyn (Colin) Smith; sister-in-law Corinne Thomas; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews; as well as numerous friends. Ray was predeceased, by 31 years, by his cherished wife Lois (nee Webb); siblings Mary, Len, Nora and Art; his parents Nora and Arthur; and his step daughter Linda. Ray was born in Peterborough, Ontario, the youngest of five children. During his early school years, he was an Air Cadet, and spent his spare time and attention on sports, including ice skating and playing hockey on frozen lakes in the winter. With his brothers enlisted and his sisters away working, he and his mother moved to Toronto for his last year of high school, where he joined the Central YMCA and promptly fell in love with basketball. His Central-Y team became Junior Canadian Champs in 1949, and even played an exhibition game against the Harlem Globetrotters. Ray continued with basketball, playing in the Senior Men’s Canadian league from 1949 to 1959, and competing all across Canada. In the 1952-53 season his team, the Nortown Tri-Bells, won the Ontario championship, and went on to defeat the Alberta Golden Bears in Edmonton to become the National Champions. In 1953-54, they won the Ontario championship again, and again reached the national finals, but lost to the Winnipeg team. In 1955-56, the Tri-Bells represented Ontario in a national tournament in Vancouver to select Canada’s team for the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately, Ray’s team was eliminated in the second round, but what an adventure! His time playing basketball was very meaningful to Ray, as he made many wonderful memories, and formed lifelong friendships. Towards the end of his competitive basketball days, Ray met Lois while they were both working in Toronto, and they were soon married. A few years later, Lisa was born, and they lived in Toronto for the next two decades. Ray worked for a number of Toronto employers during his professional career, while taking evening courses to earn his accounting designation. He retired from the Federal Department of Transportation, responsible for the budget of what is now Toronto Pearson Airport. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Joan of Arc Church, filling the role of treasurer for many years. Ray and Lois retired to Elora, Ontario, in their mid-fifties, renovating a century home and starting a new life of travel, hobbies, and relaxation. They became active members of St. Mary Immaculate Church, where they formed many more friendships. Golf was always a favourite pastime, but after Lois’s passing he became an almost daily player at the Elmira Golf Club, walking the course and always hunting for errant balls. He enjoyed annual golf trips to Pipestem National Park, West Virginia, with his Irish buddies. Ray/Dad/Grampa was a patient, kind, steady presence, who was quick-witted and always enjoyed a good joke or a pint of Guinness – or both! He had a strong love for nature and animals, especially dogs. Ray enjoyed many hobbies: gardening, photography, woodworking, leaded glass, coin collecting, card playing, genealogy, and forestry management. He was also an avid supporter of his grandchildrens’ involvement in sports, as well as of his Toronto teams: the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays, and the Raptors. Visitation was held at Adams Funeral Home (445 St. Vincent St., Barrie, ON) from 10am to 12pm on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. This was followed by a Mass and reception at St. John Vianney Catholic Church (13 Baldwin Lane, Barrie, ON) at 1pm. Interment took place at the Hagersville Cemetery (8904 Indian Line Road, Hagersville, ON) at 1pm on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. He was laid to rest beside Lois, the love of his life, who was born and raised in Hagersville. The family wishes to send a special thank-you to two groups:  The staff of Qualicare Guelph, who supported him with independent living while he lived in Elora, and the staff at Serenity Retirement Residence, where Ray was treated like part of the family, from 2018 until his passing. Your care and support for Ray will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of the charities that Ray supported — World Vision, and the Yonge Street Mission — or a charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca.