Our beloved father, Raymond Lorne Kyle, known to most as Ray, age 86 years, of Thunder Bay, Ont., passed away unexpectedly at home on November 30, 2022.
He was born February 18, 1936 in Three Hills, Alta., to the late James (Pete) and Ivy Kyle. He was raised in Fort Frances, Ont., and attended Fort Frances High School.
On September 9, 1961, Raymond was united in marriage in Fort Frances to the love of his life Marijane Cahill. They celebrated the birth of three daughters Kathleen (Kathy), Julie, and Erin.
He attended Teachers College in Toronto, Ont., and later Queens University in Kingston, Ont., to prepare for his eventual teaching career. Raymond was a dedicated machine shop teacher for 26 years at Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay from 1965 until his retirement in 1991. During his years at Hammarskjold, he also enjoyed coaching the badminton team. Raymond had the most amazing memory. Chances are if he taught you, he still remembered your name years later.
Raymond enjoyed being active, his love of basketball, badminton and golf started at an early age and continued throughout his life. Being part of the Go Slow Curling League kept him active in his later years. His love for cars continued throughout his life. One of his most prize possessions was his 1954 Austin Healy Roadster.
Raymond loved all kinds of music and shared very fond memories of being part of a quartet in high school. He loved being creative and working with his hands; he dabbled in photography, painting and pottery and found peace in gardening. One of his greatest joys came from being able to “MacGyver” almost anything from cars to household items, he could fix them all.
As a teenager, Raymond had a very special bond with his beagle Dusty. He also loved our family pets (Snowball and Brodie) and grand pets (Oreo and Sophie). He had the ability to really connect with them without treats but they thought treats were even better.
The Kyle family took many summer long camping trips visiting all parts of Canada and innumerable visits to aunt June Smith’s cottage on Rainy Lake in Ontario. Raymond’s love of nature and appreciation for the beauty of wildlife was passed onto his children and grandchildren. One of his greatest adventures was a canoe trip up the Albany River in Northern Ontario with his good friends and colleagues.
Raymond was a gentle man of integrity and honour. He was an extraordinary listener with words of quiet wisdom to share when needed. His quick wit, punny sense of humour and play on words kept life fun. He was also that guy who remembered special days and took the time to drop by with a card, food or just to let you know you mattered to him.
He was kind with a strong abiding faith in God and he loved his family deeply. His devotion to his wife Marijane was extraordinary throughout their 61 years of marriage. His unconditional love shone through in these later years as he stood steadfast by her side during her journey with dementia. Their love continued to evolve and it was so special to witness.
Raymond is survived by his wife Marijane Kyle; and daughters Kathy Jorden, Julie (John) Tilbury and Erin Kyle; grandchildren Sara, Dustin, Zachary, Cyrus, Niaz and Sulaiman (Sully); brother Richard (Laurie) Kyle; sisters-in-law Beverly, Helen and Roberta; aunt-in-law June Smith; numerous nieces and nephews and very special life long friends Bill and Shirley Luft.
He is predeceased by his grandchild Amina; parents James (Pete) and Ivy Kyle; brothers Ronald and Gordon Kyle; sisters Lorraine (Charles) Lindvall, Lois (Armand) Calvez, Nola (Donald) Skinner; mother-in-law Arley Kiddell; and cousin-in-law Campbell Smith.
Cremation has taken place.
A Celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date in the summer 2023.
Interment will be at a later date in Fort Frances at Riverview Cemetery.
If friends so desire, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alzheimer Society of Canada, in lieu of flowers, would be greatly appreciated by the family.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com.
