Mr. Stephen Raymond Dodd age 91 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away in St. Joseph's Hospital, on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Ray was a lifetime resident of the city and he attended St. Stanislaus and St. Patrick’s Schools.
He went from school to serve at sea in the Canadian Navy, serving on the HMCS Jonquiere and Kincardine. After the war he and his brother went into the trucking and logging business, contracting to Long Lac Pulp and Paper and Great Lakes Paper. Once established they sold the business and Ray worked at various places, including Abitbi Paper and the Fort William Assessment Department.
At this time he married Doris Hill and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001.
He eventually joined Customs and Excise with who he remained until retirement in 1989. Ray was a Man. & NOW delegate at the convention forming the Public Service Alliance Union and also the convention forming the Customs Excise Union. He was the president of the district Union until it was absorbed by the Winnipeg Local.
For a number of years, he was a registered coach and trainer with the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association. With other friends, he operated the Kinsmen Boxing club in Westfort.
In his retirement, he and his wife spent many good winters in Mesa Arizona. There he belonged to the “Good life hiker” and loved to hike and photograph the SW mountains and desert. He was an avid reader right up until his passing. Ray was a life member of the Fort William Council #1447 of the Knights of Columbus and a longtime member of St. Dominic’s Church.
He was predeceased by his parents Stephen and Catherine (O’Connor), beloved wife Doris, his brother Timothy (Helen) Dodd and sister Evelyn (Cliff) Kanuff, sister in law Shirley, son in law Bruce Gray. Ray is survived by his brother Doug, children Judith, Stephen, Sheilagh(Ken) Barney, and Elissa. Special adopted sons Pierre Belanger, Randall Roy. Grandchildren Graham Gray, Stephen Gray, Michael(Martine) Barney, Kimberly(Cody) Coulombe, great grandchildren Victor Barney, Easton Coulombe.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017, when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, at St. Dominic's Church celebrated by Rev. Maurizio Maifredi c.s.. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Prayers will be offered May 12, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Blake Funeral Chapel. If friends desire, memorials to St Vincent de Paul would be appreciated.
Dad was quiet. Strong. Kind. Thoughtful. Loving. Religious. Humble. Generous.
The best of the best has gone into the hands of God! Joining the love of his life Doris.
Together at last. Remembered and loved for all of time.
