October 26, 1957 – September 19, 2024
It is with profound sadness and bittersweet emotions that I announce the sudden passing of my husband of 33 years, Raymond John Prestedge. He lost his life while harvesting an oat crop that he took from seed to feed.
Ray, “Wally” to his workmates, loved his life, and the people in his wide and diverse circle of friends. Ray had a farming family, a fishing family, a curling family, a bus driving family, a Smelter Bay family, an Australian family, a Canadian family, and of course, the family he revealed all to. And a lot of the time the families overlapped, intersected, and crashed together.
After years of cooking, Ray transitioned into farming. A job, no, a lifestyle, he embraced with his heart and soul. Saying that, he always led his life on a run, not a walk. It will be this zest for life that his families will miss the most.
His children: Jason, the late Daniel, Ben and Nicole, their spouses and children filled his being. Even though some weren’t as close as he would have enjoyed, he took full advantage when they were.
His first family: Dad, the late Ted, the man who instilled a love of fishing. Mum, the late Barbara, the woman he loved to annoy. Ray was the oldest of 4. He was followed by Jennifer, Wayne and Gary. Their spouses and children will feel his loss across the waters.
And the family he embraced and adopted without hesitation: my brothers and sisters Rod, Janet, Blair, and Alison, and their families. Ray will always have the reputation as being ‘that uncle’ to nieces and nephews, as well as the great-nieces and nephews. Nobody was safe. But they also knew they were all loved.
Finally, it’s truly been a ride. I wish there had been a few more years. I’ll miss you, Wheetie. I love you!
In lieu of cards and flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Ray to a Cancer Society of your choice, Diabetes Canada, or a mental health association that is meaningful to you.
Ray’s family wishes to honour the actions of the first responders: EMT, Huron Shores Fire Department, OPP and Brooke and Norm from Beggs Funeral Home, who trudged through the cow patties and the ruts to free Ray from the combine. Thank you.
I, Joanne, want to thank our family and friends for always being there, no matter what. We ate well this week, nobody had to cook.
A celebration of life is to be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Thessalon Curling Club from 1pm to 4pm. Ray loved his food, come and enjoy a light meal and remember a man who was larger than life… Ray.