BANKS, Raymond 'Ray' - It is with great sadness that the family of Ray (Raymond) Banks announces his passing after a short but tough battle with cancer, on Thursday, January 17, 2019, at the age of 81 years.
Ray will be lovingly remembered by his entire loving family.
Thank you for all the laughter, snuggles, dancing, golfing, fishing, car repairs and most importantly the love, and for standing by me at the end. To all of my grandchildren, I love you so much, and I'm so proud of you. I wish you such good things. May you, every day, connect with the brilliancy of your own spirit. And may you always remember that obstacles in the path are not obstacles, they ARE the path.
I was given the gift of life, and now I have to give it back. This is hard. But I was a lucky fella, who led a lucky existence, and for this I am grateful. When I first got sick with this horrible disease, I fought it to have more time with the ones that I loved. When the cancer recurred last month and was terminal, I decided to be joyful about having had a full life, rather than sad about having to die. Amazingly, this outlook worked for me. (Well, you know, most of the time.) My family helped me accept that I could not change the outcome and I did not want to live in pain, so we danced and had a party until we said goodbye at any rate, I am at peace. And on that upbeat note, I am in the land of the souls doing what I love and shopping at the Sally Ann for a new set of clubs so I can improve my score until we meet again….
My beloved friends and family. How precious you all have been to me. Knowing and loving each one of you was the success story of my life. We will meet again, joyfully, on the other side.
Memorial gathering will be held at Pine Hills cemetery and funeral centre, 625 Birchmount Road, Toronto on January 25th from 11:00 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 12:00 p.m. Interment to follow at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow from 1:30 - 3:30 pm.
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