Obituary of Raymond Tourigny

Raymond Joseph, known to his friends and loved ones as Ray, Pop, Dad, and Papa, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 9, 2015 at the age of 78. He is predeceased by his parents, Bernadette (Coueslan) and Fortunat; his brother Hector; and in-laws, Margaret and Bill Carson. Ray is survived by his loving wife of fifty-five years, Carol; his daughter Erin (Kim Wong) and their children, Julianne and Aidan of Calgary; his son Geoffrey of Vancouver; his daughter Mary-Lou of Calgary; and his son Paul (Sandra Selinger) of Regina. He is also survived by his sister Irene Fritz of Fort Qu’Appelle; his sister Leanne (Chris) Siller of Victoria; his brother Rodger (Marj) of Calgary; his brother Gilbert (Sandy) of Victoria; his sisters-in-law Mary Tourigny of Calgary and June (Rick) Seaman of Regina; as well as many nieces, nephews and good friends. Ray was born in Wolseley, Saskatchewan in 1937 and moved to Regina in 1949. He attended Holy Rosary School and Campion College. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan. He also received a Master of Education degree from the University of Oregon. Ray’s career was dedicated to education and he served and led the Regina Catholic School District as a school-based administrator, Superintendent, and Director of Education for thirty four years. Ray was well-respected for his knowledge, expertise, strong work ethic, and zest for challenges. He was especially gifted in and will be remembered for the relationships that he fostered and maintained throughout his life and career. A man of integrity, people frequently turned to him for compassionate and sound counsel. A family man, Ray valued and cherished the many happy times that he spent with his wife, children, grandchildren and pets. He loved his home, his deck, reading, and walking with his friends at the Field House. He will be fondly remembered by his family for his catchy one-liners and his interesting do-it-yourself projects. Ray’s family would like to thank the staff on Units 4A and 4D at the Pasqua Hospital for the care that he was given over the past seven months. They would also like to thank Dr. Vermeulen, Dr. Abuhjar, and Dr. Cathy Ferguson for the professional and compassionate care of their father. A private interment will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Ray can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2R3, or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 1738 Quebec Avenue, Unit 26, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1V9. "Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love Is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source". -Leo Tolstoy