Mr. Raymond Emile Patrick Skillen passed away peacefully on Saturday October 22, 2016 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, with family by his side.
Ray was born in Sudbury on July 30, 1944 to Roallan and Hilja Skillen. He grew up in Nipigon alongside his sisters Roseann and Susan. They had a happy childhood playing together, having saunas at Mumu and Papa’s, and experiencing the great outdoors on family fishing trips.
As a young man, Ray was called to the study of philosophy and theology at Resurrection College in Kitchener. Although he chose to leave the seminary, he continued to practice his faith throughout his life. He was a devoted member of St Dominic's parish, participating in mass as a eucharistic minister and as a lector, where his natural public speaking talents served him well.
He married his love, Ellen Foulds, on December 19, 1970 in Red Rock. The newlywed couple moved to Thunder Bay, where Ray graduated from the broadcasting program at Confederation College. Anticipating the arrival of their first child, Ray accepted a position in purchasing with Great West Timber, the mill where he would spend the majority of his career. Ray and Ellen made their house on University Drive into a home where they raised their four children.
Ray had a lifelong passion for playing and watching sports, especially golf, curling and baseball. He shared this passion with others by teaching new players the game, and by coaching aspiring teams. He also had a fascination for all things related to trains, from the history of locomotives, to the art of model railroading.
In his retirement years, Ray was able to experience some of the wonders of our world as he and Ellen began traveling to other countries. Growing older, he most cherished the time he spent with family, especially his eight grandchildren.
Ray had an appreciation for all artistic endeavors and during his lifetime developed a deep love for music, film, poetry and prose. He had an expansive knowledge base and imagination which, coupled with his great sense of humour, led to many mind-expanding conversations and sidesplitting encounters. His love and compassion for family, friends, animals, and people from all walks of life, along with his exuberant yet pensive personality, made him a pleasure to be around, and a man who will be sorely missed.
Survived by his wife Ellen; children Aaron (Rhonda), Ruth, Sarah (Michael Harvey), and Sean; grandchildren Kieran, Liam, Ella, and Andrew Stewart; Morgan and Myah Harvey; Sam and Shea Skillen; sisters Roseann Jessome and Susan (Art Joseph); as well as numerous other relatives.
Predeceased by his father Roallen; mother Hilja; brother in-law Bob Jessome; father-in-law Jim Foulds; mother-in-law Helen Foulds; nephew Andrew Foulds; and family dog ‘Bosie’.
Funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 11:00am in St Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church at 130 Redwood Ave West, in Thunder Bay. Rev. Maurizio Maifredi will officiate. A reception will follow in the church hall. Interment will be held at a later date.
Should friends so desire, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Northern Cancer Fund, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
Raymond Skillen will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017
