Ray Alyman

Alyman, Ray. Ray (Rayfield) was born on Allumette Island on January 22^nd, 1936 to Lila and Tom Alyman. His sisters, Inez, Florence, Marina, Roberta, Oletta, Veral, & Shirley, and his brothers Randy, Merrel & Garry, grew up with him in Temiscaming, Quebec. Ray was an easy-going and gentle father to his three children: Raphael (Alain Audet), Carrie (Allen Carpenter), and Shawn (Elisa Germain). His children remember him as a hard-working father who was always happy to instruct them on the intricacies of cleaning fish, using and putting away his tools properly, and driving the four-wheeler, ski-doo and outboard boat. Ray's six grandchildren brought on his biggest smiles; Tessa & Caytlin Alyman; Ava & Olivia Carpenter; and Cole & Thomas Alyman-Audet. This playful group will miss their good-natured grandpa. He will also be greatly missed by his canine companions Peeka & Foobers.

The joy of Ray’s life was spending time with his brothers (and brother-in-laws) fishing and hunting. He was an outdoor enthusiast who loved all aspects of wildlife and nature. In fact, were you to pour through his photographs, you would find as many pictures of Ray posing with fish and other woodland trophies, as you would find of him posing with friends and family.

A sports enthusiast to the very end, you would often come across him cheering on his favorite Toronto Sports team (the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Argos) or watching just about any televised sports-related activity or event.

He was a builder extraordinaire (homes, decks, docks, fences, etc.) and the vast majority of his friends and family have something in or around their home that he has put his hammer to.

Ray was an active Christian and a strong supporter of his church. The legacy most meaningful to him was the role he played in the construction of a church in Guinea-Bissau, Africa in 1992. He put his hammer to that too!

The thing he was most proud to have accomplished in his life was a 6-week extraordinary adventure to Australia and New Zealand with his daughter. It was on this journey that he crossed off more than one item from his bucket list including fishing for a Marlin.

Ray took pleasure in connecting with the people he met, wherever he happened to be. He had the ability to talk your ears off and was an enthusiastic, passionate storyteller that far exceeded the necessary detail to bring a story to life. In his later years, he was all talked out and became a quiet soul that happily observed the action from the sidelines.

He absolutely loved large family gatherings and was always in the thick of the action, especially at the Alyman Family Reunions. He would often reminisce about the Matheson “Alympics” Reunion that he hosted and was so very proud of. He and his family created and maintained the “Alymanac”, a family newsletter, for many years. He wore the badge of family historian and worked tirelessly to trace his family’s origins, which resulted in his entire clan being able to acquire official Metis status.

The family wishes to thank all the health care professionals at the North Bay Regional Health Center for their excellent care, and the extended family for all their support over the past few months.

The family invites friends to Hillside Funeral Services at 362 Airport Rd., North Bay, to visit from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, followed by A Celebration of Life Ceremony. Donations in Ray’s memory can be made to the North Bay Regional Health Centre- Palliative Care Unit.

Messages or memories can be shared at www.hillsidefuneral.ca.