RAYMOND WARD TAYLOR

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RAYMOND WARD TAYLOR August 16, 1922 - August 3, 2012 Raymond Ward Taylor, 89, died Friday, August 3, 2012 at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg from complications of pneumonia. Raymond was a 15 year cancer survivor and although arthritis confined him to a wheelchair for the last six years, Raymond remained otherwise healthy until about five weeks ago. Raymond was born in 1922 in Dauphin to Bill and Agnes Taylor and raised in Valley River and Dauphin. Family was the most important thing in his life. He met Patricia McGroarty in April 1940 when he was just 17 and she 16. Shortly after they met Ray was shipped out and spent the next five years overseas serving with the P.P.C.L.I. and the Regina Rifles. Despite the long separation love endured, and shortly after his return he married Pat on September 15, 1945. Together they had four children, Bernard, Garfield, Sharon-Rose and Maryanne. Ray maintained a close relationship with his mother and father, brothers and cousins. He was close to his only sister Edna who survives him. Raymond took great pleasure in family history. He and Pat made many trips to attend family reunions throughout Canada and the US and on a trip to Britain in 1990 spent much time tracking down family homes and burial sites. It gave him much pleasure to peruse old photographs, pass knowledge along to his children and grandchildren. Ray had several careers spanning more than 50 years, all concerning cars. Cars were his special passion. He loved to fix them, paint them, drive them (fast) and talk about them. When he returned from the war, he and Pat settled for a time in Dauphin where Ray worked in an autobody shop. They moved to Roblin where Ray earned his journeyman accreditation in autobody repair and eventually started his own autobody business Roblin Autobody, a business still operating today by a man Raymond mentored as a teenager. He spent a short time as a Watkins dealer in Gladstone but soon returned to autobody in 1962 where he remained until 1971 when he began working with the newly established Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation. He worked with M.P.I.C. in Dauphin, Thompson and finally Winnipeg as estimator, road adjustor, and finally estimating supervisor, until he retired in 1993 at the age of 71. He was a well loved and respected employee and supervisor. As well as cars, Raymond held many other interests. From an early age until his death he loved to draw and paint. Raymond loved music. He was a Salvation Army bandsman from his days as junior soldier until into his 80s. He also enjoyed blowing a tune on the harmonica. Raymond was a voracious reader, reading and writing in the areas of politics and current affairs, religion, and philosophy. Politics played an integral part of Raymond's life. He, along with Pat, was a tireless worker for the CCF and NDP throughout his life, including standing for office twice, once provincially and once federally. He was a fighter for those in need through his church, his union work, his politics, and his family life. Raymond also loved hockey, playing until well into his 50s, passing on his love of skating and hockey to his children and grandchildren. Raymond's favourite pastime was talking and he enjoyed a spirited debate on beliefs important him particularly the teachings of Jesus including pacifism. Raymond was a deeply spiritual man. He became a Junior Soldier in the Salvation Army in Dauphin at the age of 12. While living in Roblin, he and his family attended The United Church where for more than two years Raymond served as lay minister with responsibility for three churches. Raymond returned as an active member of the Salvation Army in 1980 until his death, serving as Recruiting Sargent, band member and songster. Raymond was greatly loved and will be fondly remembered by family, friends and all who knew him, as a loving husband and father, loyal friend, champion of social consciousness and a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Raymond is survived by his wife of almost 67 years, Patricia (McGroarty), son Cameron (Garfield) Taylor, daughter Sharon-Rose Taylor; five grandchildren; six great grandchildren; his sister Edna (Carr); and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his son Bernard; infant daughter Maryanne, and brothers George, Brigham and Vincent. A graveside memorial service will take place at the Urn Garden, Wheeler Cemetery, 884 Symington Road South (Mennonite Memorial Garden), Friday, August 17, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. with Captain Steven Cameron officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Funeral Arrangements in Care of Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery Crematorium 1800 Day Street 224-1525

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 11, 2012