Gariepy, Raymond Joseph
It is with great sadness that the family announce the sudden passing of Raymond Joseph Gariepy on Friday, March 16, 2012. Fourteen months ago he lost Lorraine, his beloved wife of 60 years, whom he has joined in Christ. He was truly heart-broken.
Ray was born Sept. 4, 1928 in Toronto, Ontario to Martha Esther (Elsie) Bruyere and Vincent McAlinden. At an early age, he was adopted by Malvina and Joseph Gariepy joining step-siblings, Mary and Gaetan.
Ray left school to assist his family, working in the northern bush and mines of the Timmins area. At age 13, he learned to skate and his hockey career began. He played for the Barrie Flyers at 16, setting off a career that would take him to many cities including Boston and Toronto in the National Hockey League. While in Barrie, he met Lorraine Heffron, a registered nurse whom he wed in June 1950. During the off season, Ray was a bricklayer, then moved to concrete sales, initially working for Nixon Building Products. In the late 60's, he purchased Simcoe Block Company Limited, and later established Simcoe Building Materials where he attended everyday. Over the years, Ray supported his community as a member of Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Probus Club as well as Chairman of the Board of the Royal Victoria Hospital, President of Barrie Builders Association, and a trustee on the Simcoe County Roman Catholic Separate School Board.
His greatest pride was his family. He will be forever missed and loved by his ten children and their families: Stephen (Lyn) and their children Megan (Brent) and Mikael (Diane); Gregory (Marna); Michelle Kranjc (John) and their son Mark (Laura); Denise Gariepy (Al) and her sons Phil and Nathan (Alex); Christopher (Debra) and their children Ryan and Gillian; Lisa Roblin (Gerry); Marc (Anne) and their sons Luke, Pierre John and Anders; Tara Gariepy (Jack) and her children Christian (Amanda), Nicholas, Whitney (Nick) Cameron and Patrick Basnett; Matthew (Susan) and their children Kristen and Alec; and Antony (Maureen) and their children Alicia Delage (Martin) and Serena McGovern. He was also blessed with 6 great-grandchildren. Ray is survived by his half-brother Marty McAlendin, his daughters Marlee Franz and Melanie Werstine and their families. He will be sadly missed by his dear friend Doris Murphy.
Friends may call at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 201 Minet’s Point Rd., Barrie, on Tuesday, March 20 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Rite of committal in St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Simcoe or the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com.