Ray Gowriluk

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our husband, father and friend, Ray Gowriluk, on September 28 in Salmon Arm, BC.

Ray was the youngest of twelve children born to George and Mary Gowriluk in Selkirk, Manitoba on Nov 4, 1934. Ray attended school in Gonor, Manitoba and left at the age of sixteen to work for his brothers who owned the Midland Fruit Company in Winnipeg.

Ray married Edna Aalen on June 1, 1957 and in 1966 the family moved to Atikokan, Ontario. With no retail experience, Ray, along with three of his brothers, bought a grocery store and within a short time expanded the business. Ray quickly became well known as a savvy businessman and a creative promoter.

Ray was very active in the community, receiving the Lion’s Melvin Jones Fellow award, along with recognition from the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce and the Niobe Lake Fire Department.

Ray and Edna moved to Salmon Arm, B.C. in 1991 where it didn’t take long for Ray to become active in his volunteering. He was instrumental in building Raven Park and received the Rotary Paul Haris Fellow award and the Rotary District Governor’s Citation for spearheading the raising of 1.2 million for the Cancer Lodge in Kelowna. Ray was called upon many times as his ability to raise funds became known. He was a volunteer with the Senior’s Resource Centre, served on the board for the Good Samaritan Society for six years and volunteered at Hillside Village for various tasks. Ray especially enjoyed the Sunbird’s RV Club where he held many positions, volunteered at the Fifth Avenue Activity Centre, was a charter member of the Probus Club, a member of Deo Lutheran Church, and organized many social activities with his neighbours.

Ray’s greatest achievement though, was his family. He is survived by his wife, Edna, his children Sandra (Marvin) Mattson, David (Jane), Daryl “Howie” (Gail), Donna (Gary) White, grandchildren: Kyle, Lexi, Kira, Sara, Karl and Paul and great-grandchildren Maia and Lucas, brother Art and sister Vi and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at Bowers Funeral Home on Friday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army.