RAY PICKERING
May 14th, 1946 – September 17th, 2015

What A Wonderful World
I see trees of green, red roses, too,
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white,
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of people going by.
I see friends shaking hands, sayin’, “How do you do?”
They’re really sayin’, “I love you”.
I hear babies cryin’. I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more than I’ll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself
What a wonderful world

Ray was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario and in the late 1970’s relocated to Edmonton, Alberta.  Thinking to get any job until something better came along, he answered an ad for drivers for Edmonton Transit.  Twenty Eight years later, he retired in 2005.  In 2008, Ray and his wife Sheila packed up everything and moved to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to be near family.  Ray always loved to be with people and had an amazing ability to draw them into his life, making lasting friendships wherever he went.  He had a passion for old cars, 50’s/60’s and Doo Wop music, which led him to DJ on-line at various stations and poker sites.  He loved to play golf but his special passion was playing pool.  Texas Hold’em became a great source of entertainment for him not only online, but at the club house in Plantation Landings, Florida where he and Sheila spent some of his last winters.  In the past couple of years Ray became involved with Special Olympics as a Bocce Ball coach and loved all the athletes and the time he spent with them.  Ray is survived by his loving wife, Sheila; his mother, Dorothy Pickering of Moose Jaw, SK; his loving sisters, Dianne (Donnie) Smith of Satsuma, Florida and Barbara Pickering of Toronto, ON; his cousin, David (Lyn) Cawthorne of Puslinch, ON; stepson, Jeffrey (Carie Ellen) Newbury of Calgary, AB and their children Jagger, Dylan and Crosby, who will miss their Grandpa Ray so much; nephew, Ray Wilke of Edmonton, AB; his sisters-in-law, Shirley Valila of Saskatoon, SK and Deb (Alan) Cotter of Moose Jaw, SK; brother-in-law, Dennis (Pauline) Tenberg of Portugal Cove, NL; and nieces and nephews by marriage: Sherri (Dave) Andrew, Brian Valila, Kathy (David) Prysati, Jon Cotter and Katie Cotter; and of course “Uncle Ray” will be missed by Bear and any other dog looking for a treat.  Ray was predeceased by his father, Ed Pickering; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and by his mother-in-law and card playing partner, Sheila’s Mom, Nan Tenberg.  Ray, I will love you forever and will miss your smile, your hugs, your kisses, your sense of humour and your laugh… and remember if you need a tissue I’ll have one for you.  In keeping with Ray’s wishes, a Private Service will be held.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the charity of your choice.