Ramon (Ray) Glen Neal

Ramon (Ray) Glen Neal, aged 79 years of Moose Jaw, SK, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21st, 2014.  The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 27th, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Pastor Bill Thomson will officiate and interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery.  Legion rites will be conducted by Dan MacAuley of the Royal Candian Legion Branch #59.  He was predeceased by his father, Thomas Neal; mother, Violet Neal; first wife, Beverly and second wife, Marlene; son, Douglas Neal; and brother, Bob Neal.  Ray will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Kirby (Sheila) Neal, Kevin Neal and Darryl (Michele) Neal; daughters, Vicki (DJ) Bennett and Sonya (Chris) Hulgan; 15 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Barb (Ed) Erickson and Bonnie Neal; and brothers-in-law: Pat (Mary-Anne) Clark, Budd DeBalinhard and Ted DeBalinhard; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.  Ray was born in Moose Jaw, SK on August 12th, 1935.  He was raised in Central Butte.  After completing his education there he enlisted in the air force and moved to Moose Jaw in 1953.  Shortly after enlisting, he was shipped out east where he met and married Bev in Hamilton, ON on May 6th, 1955.  Military life had them on the move and they were posted back to Moose Jaw where they started their family and had their four boys.  They were also stationed in Comox, BC in 1965 and remained there until 1973 when Ray retired from the military.  After retirement, Ray and Bev decided to return to Moose Jaw to be closer to family.  Never straying too far from the air force, Ray began managing the liquor store at CFB Moose Jaw, which is where he began his extensive and interesting bar collection.  Sadly, Ray lost his eldest son, Doug in 1984 and then his beloved Bev in June of 1988 suddenly.  In March of 1989, Ray was set up on blind date with Marlene by mutual friends.  They fell in love quickly and were married on May 19th, 1990 in a small service at Buffalo Pound Lake.  With Ray’s three boys and Marlene’s two girls they became one big family.  Because of Marlene’s love for lake life, Ray began spending weekends and summers with her at Buffalo Pound and eventually built their dream home on a hill overlooking the lake.  They spent 13 amazing years enjoying everything lake life had to offer, from boating, fishing, ski-dooing and ice fishing.  Ray especially loved his shop at the lake where he spent many hours wood working – building wishing wells, bird houses and a vast amount of lawn ornaments.  There wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or put together.  Ray also spent many years on the hamlet council where he made many friends and enjoyed hamlet pig roasts, harvest dances and of course happy hour on Fridays.  Even after Ray and Marlene decided to make the big move back to the city, they still enjoyed Friday happy hours with their lake friends.  It was 2006 when Ray and Marlene came back into Moose Jaw and moved to their current home on South Hill.  Ray was once again broken hearted when his love, Marlene passed away suddenly in July 2013.  Ray lived out the last year of his life surrounded by the immense love of his family.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Ray’s name may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre St, Regina, SK S4P 2R3.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Calvin Gammel, Funeral Director 306-693-4550.