It is with heavy hearts that the family of Raymond Gushulak announces his peaceful passing, with his family at his side, on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at the Atikokan General Hospital in Atikokan, Ont.
He fought a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Ray was born on Oct. 26, 1945 in Fort Frances, Ont. to Jack and Katherine Gushulak. The family later moved to Sapawe, Ont., where many fond memories will always be remembered.
At the age of 11, he moved with his family to Atikokan, where they built a new home on Wright Street and Atikokan remained his home.
Ray had a variety of jobs in his lifetime. He always was a hard worker and not afraid of work. He worked on building the highway to Fort Frances from Atikokan. He worked at Sapawe for J.A. Mathieu, then at Steep Rock Iron Mines until they shut down.
He also worked for George Armstrong Construction in Dryden, Ont., working on highway construction and Atikokan Highway 622 during the Atikokan Generating Station construction. He loved to operate heavy equipment.
Then he returned to Sapawe and worked for many years for Atikokan Forest Products as a heavy equipment operator and a carpenter until its unfortunate closure.
In February, 1969, he met his loving wife, Bonnie, on a blind date. They were married on July 10, 1971 and celebrated their 47th anniversary this summer. Together they had two daughters and a son.
Ray always has been a proud and loving husband and father. The births of his five grandchildren filled him with more joy.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife, Bonnie; children, Jana (Wayne) Riches and Christie (Addis Garuk); and grandchildren, Griffin and Brayden Garuk, and Owen, Corbin, and Paisley Riches.
Ray also will be missed by his siblings, Jean (Frank) Wojciechowski, Joyce (Lynn) Colvin, and Dwayne (Lily) Gushulak; sister-in-law, Bea Gushulak; in-laws, Walter Rogoza, David (Kelly) Rogoza, Donnie (Yvonne) Rogoza, Dale (Debbie) Rogoza, and Ken (Cheryl) Rogoza; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Ray was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Katherine; in-laws, Matt and Ruth Rogoza; infant son, Glen Gushulak; brother, Norman; and many aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Riverview United Church in Atikokan.
Internment will be held at Little Falls Cemetery in Atikokan.
The pallbearers will be Wayne Riches, Addis Garuk, Walter Rogoza, Don Rogoza, Henry Mason, and Roger Machura.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation or the Riverview United Church Memorial Fund.
Weep not for me, I’m free from pain,
my earthly sufferings are o’er.
I hope to meet you all again
on a peaceful, happy shore.