Raymond Lavallee

The best Dad & Gramps.

Ray came into his life on earth in the same fighting spirit he left it. He was born weighing less than 3 lbs under challenging conditions in the bush in the French Métis community of St. Laurent, MB. His early years were spent loving his mom, dad and his brothers and sisters. This is where Ray learned the values he lived by, unconditional love of family, loyalty, strength, hard work, and some fun.

Ray grew up in St. Laurent and Winnipeg and went to school until grade gr. 8 when he got kicked out for fighting too much. This is an example of how Ray lived life by his own terms. He immediately began the demanding work of installing hardwood floors with this family and continued doing it for 53 years without missing a single day of work. Ray also had a deep love for his Métis culture, along with a passion for history, rock and roll music especially Elvis, gifting people nicknames, old cars, dining out, fishing, camping, animals, and football. Every dollar Ray earned he would give away to help someone. After his daily long physical labour job he would volunteer to coach football in Calgary. He was always the first to offer to help someone.

Above all, Ray loved his family, they were the biggest blessing and joy in his life. He was the rock and foundation of the family. He embraced extended family as his immediate family, a value of the Métis community. He not only raised his kids and grandkids but loved his nephews, nieces, cousins, and friend’s kids just as much. He never missed a single practice, game or performance of his grandkids and was known to park in the school lot hours before the school bell rang (he needed to get his spot) to pick up his grandkids as all the students would wave out the window “Hi Gramps!” Nothing brought him more peace and happiness than being ‘Gramps.’

Ray lived a simple life, satisfied with what he had and only using what he needed. There will not be a formal service for Ray. We are asking in place of this, go spend time with your kids or grandkids, help a family member or friend, go watch a sporting event, go for some KFC, give someone the finger driving (haha), or go fishing, as he would appreciate that.

Thank you to those who supported Ray in his final stages of life on this earth.

We love you Dad & Gramps. Thank you for all you did for us.

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