> Details

Advanced Search:


Regular Search
❮ Go Back to Listings
RAYMOND LLOYD GANDER Obituary pic

RAYMOND LLOYD GANDER

Born: Feb 09, 1947

Date of Passing: Feb 09, 2016

Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RAYMOND LLOYD GANDER It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Gander, in his home in Wedgeport, Nova Scotia, on February 9, 2016. He is sadly missed by his sons, Jeff (Bridget) and Ryan, many family members and friends. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Jim and Hilda, his brother Warren and his sister-in-law Carol. He is survived by his brother Ed; nephews, Jason, Trenton and Michael; and niece Maureen (Shawn), as well as several great-nieces/nephew. Ray was born in Kenora, Ontario, on February 9, 1947. His family moved to Oakbank when he was three years old. He attended school in Oakbank and worked in Winnipeg, initially as a motorcycle parts man. Following his graduation from the Advertising Art program at Red River Community College in 1975, he spent the remainder of his career as a graphic designer and artist. Ray loved to build things - homes, motorcycles and guitars - everything he created showed his amazing artistic talents. When Jeff and Ryan arrived in the 1980s, Ray became a dedicated father. He loved to spend time watching his sons' soccer, hockey and baseball games, as well as taking them camping, fishing and swimming on vacations and at family cottages. Ray's ultimate passion was designing and building custom electric guitars. He built his first guitar as a young teenager. In his retirement, he moved to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia to perfect his guitars at home in a second story workshop with an ocean view. There, his recognition as a Master Luthier grew. He was dearly loved by new-found friends in Nova Scotia, where he volunteered at a local craft shop and shared his music talents, singing and playing his guitars. In the summers, he enjoyed motorcycle rides with friends. A celebration of Ray's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 18, 2016 at Seasons Funeral Chapel, 576 Balsam Crescent in Oakbank, Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. seasonsfunerals.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 11, 2016

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

  • So sad to hear of Rays passing and I offer my sincere condolences to all members of Ray's family.KInd of late I know but just looked up Ray's name and found this obituary.Ray designed many Logo's for different business';s I owned and he was the best Graphic Designer I ever met.He usually got it bang on the first try. At one time I owned a Dune Buggy Business in Utah and met a musician by the name of Jamie Glaser who helped me produce some song Demos from songs that I wrote.So on one of trips down there I took Ray to meet Jamie and he took one of his Gander Guitars for Jamie to promote as Jamie was well known in the music industry.Google his name. Janie loved his Gander Guitar and played it as often as he could for music heard nationally.So Ray's artistry lives on. RIP Ray from your old buddy Tom Semeniuk - Winnipeg - Posted by: Tom Semeniuk (Friend) on: Apr 02, 2024

  • Nothing big but when I was doing a course for my school Design and technology GCSE in the UK. Ray was kind enough to help with advice for building a guitar and gave me feedback and discussions while other people didn't even reply. He spent time and energy helping a shy young boy with his course work, sad to hear he has died. I'll hopefully own a gander guitar one day. Doug - Posted by: douglas newman (A person Ray helped) on: Feb 10, 2021

  • Ray has been my friend since we were in class at RRC. He was always quick with a humorous story which was often slightly off-colour. Ray was always kind, always friendly and always encouraging. When he moved to Nova Scotia we kept in touch via email. Our last emails were dated Feb. 6, 2016. I hadn't heard from him but assumed he was busy with his guitars and his new life in NS. I was out of town when his obituary appeared in the Free Press. I therefore missed the details of his Celebration of Life or I would have attended. Because Ray's life was so worth celebrating! What a wonderful man he was! My life was richer because of his friendship! I started suspecting something was wrong when I hadn't heard from him in October, my birthday month, because he always sent a card. I still hadn't heard anything this Christmas and now I was really worried. I texted and called his cell. Finally, with dread, I searched the Free Press obituaries. And now my grief is fresh, almost a year after his passing. My friend is gone, too young and too soon. I will miss him. - Posted by: Debb Bomback (Friend: RRC Advertising Art Class 1975) on: Jan 10, 2017

  • I was a friend and employer of Ray . I always found him to be the most honest courteous guy you could ever meet . Ray was a fantastic artist . Ray was the most dedicated employee I ever had. I kept in contact with Ray after we parted ways in 2001. E mail mostly & the odd phone call .Ray will be sadly missed by many . - Posted by: KEN SUCHE () on: Nov 02, 2016

  • Dear Jeff and Ryan - It was such a shock to learn of your Dad's passing. Immediately came to mind all the great times our two families had spent together right from when you were babies. We treasured our friendship with your Mom and Dad and that their little guys and our little girls got along so well also. While Ray lived in Oakbank and was building his guitars he would come over and proudly show them to Garth and I. They were unbelievable and always looked forward to his next creation. Your Dad's keen sense of humor always had everyone laughing. He sure will be missed by those who loved and knew him. I hope your memories of him have helped to carry you through the hard moments. Take care. Love "Auntie" Val, Heather & family, and Shannon & family. - Posted by: Valery Kruger (Family friend) on: Jun 14, 2016

❮ Go Back to Listings