RAYMOND HENRY MASSEY (1935-2024)

"I have fond memories of Ray as a club fixture, who served as our Treasurer for more than two decades from the early 1990s through the mid 2010s. With good humour, he kept his colleagues on their toes and in line with his clear, no-nonsense regular reporting of our financial situation.

"He was an avid collector, especially of Canadian decimal, paper money and municipal trade dollars for over 30 years. His passion for the hobby shone through his sometimes gruff (but never rude), business-like exterior, and he would often contribute uncommon and intriguing pieces to Club auctions.

"He and his late wife, Fern, made a great team as they volunteered countless hours to the Club, for which they both received joint Life Membership recognition on Feb. 26, 2020. In addition to his Treasurer responsibilities, Ray would typically take care of calling out our hourly show raffles as Fern helped to staff the registration table. Of course, he was not the same and slowed down noticeably after Fern passed just over two years ago. He nonetheless did his best to attend monthly meetings at the Royal Canadian Mint's 2nd floor training room as his health would allow. Incidentally, MCC, which is marking its 70th anniversary this year, is unique in Canada in that it has the privilege of being the only coin club that holds its regular monthly meetings at such a prestige venue as the RCM's Winnipeg facility.

"At one of the last meetings he attended, I'm pleased to have acquired his silver 2013 RCNA Convention Medal, the last year MCC hosted that convention, at which both he and Fern were very active, as the Finance Committee and Hospitality Committee Chairs, respectively. Now both together again, they will be greatly missed by all who knew them.

"Thank you, Ray and Fern, for your enthusiasm for our hobby and for your faithful service to MCC! May you now both rest in peace!"

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Raymond Henry Massey on August 4, in Stonewall, MB. Ray was born in Winnipeg in 1935 and grew up in Grosse Isle until the age of 11 when the family moved to Ross Avenue in Winnipeg. Ray attended Victoria-Albert, Hugh John MacDonald and Daniel McIntyre Schools. In 1954, Ray enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1958 Ray then served with the Canadian Forces Medical Services until 1982.

In 1959, Ray married his beloved wife Fern at the United Church in East Kildonan, and together they celebrated 63 years of marriage and two wonderful children. From 1982 to 1993 Ray worked for the Manitoba Health Services Commission additionally from 1982 to 1988 he was the C.O. of 17 (Winnipeg) Medical Company at Minto Armoury in the Military Reserves, finally retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Together, Ray and Fern lived in Winnipeg, Halifax, Victoria, Ottawa, Shilo, Lahr Germany, ending their cross-country journey in Winnipeg. In 1997 Ray moved to Stonewall where he spent his golden years close to his beloved grandchildren.

Ray was very fortunate to have been able to travel to many places throughout Canada and Europe. Over the past number of years, Ray and Fern often went to Victoria, BC to spend time away from the cold winter months in the prairies. It was a place where they had formed many special bonds and memories during their time living there.

Ray was highly involved in both the Manitoba Coin Club and the South Interlake 55 Plus Center in Stonewall. Ray was an avid curler, bowler, golfer and poker player. He also enjoyed being a volunteer driver for Manitoba Cancer Care. In Ray's last few years, he really enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jay's, but most of all, he looked forward to the weekly Sunday "Breakfast Club" Brunches at Larters, where Judy always made the family feel welcome.

To read the complete obituary, see:
RAYMOND HENRY MASSEY (https://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-325605/MASSEY_RAYMOND%20HENRY)