April 13, 1926 - June 29, 2020
Ray was called into the presence of his Lord on the morning of Monday, June 29 at his home in Abbotsford. He leaves behind his beloved wife Winnie, with whom he shared 72 wonderful years of marriage. His children Barry (Diane), Rod (Janet) and Shelley (Garry), ten grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren grieve his loss and celebrate the joy of having Ray as their father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Born in Vancouver to Christine and Jack Griffiths, Ray moved to Abbotsford as a young teenager, attending Upper Sumas Elementary and Phillip Sheffield high school. At 17, Ray joined the Canadian Air Force to serve his country in World War II. Sent east for training, he returned to BC at the end of the war.
Ray married his sweetheart Winnie in October of 1947. In those early years, Ray worked as a road builder for logging camps up and down the coast of BC. When the opportunity to work close to home arose in 1963, Ray became a superintendent with the BC Diking Commission. Ray started his own company, Griffiths Draglines in the early '70s, and soon expanded into pile driving and mobile cranes. Retirement in 1989 enabled Ray and Winnie to travel across Canada, up to the Arctic in the motor home, and, with friends, to explore every highway and back road on the detailed BC road maps that guided them on their adventures.
Ray was active in both his community and church. An early member of the Recreation Commission, Ray was instrumental in getting sporting fields and activities going in Abbotsford. He served as president of the Fraser River Truck and Equipment Association. He was a member of Abbotsford's Board of Variance, preparing for and attending meetings up until his death. Ray served as usher at Northview Church, attended study groups there, and with Winnie hosted a care group in their home.
Family was essential to Ray. His joy in his family was clear in the welcome he offered all new members of his clan. Ray offered acceptance and unconditional love to all, a little wise counsel if asked, but always a whole lot of humour and stories from his boundless store of both.
A private family celebration of Ray's life was held at Northview Church on July 11. Ray was a strong supporter of the Abbotsford Food Bank, and a donation there would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.wiebeandjeskefh.com