Obituary for Henry William "Ray" Guy
GUY, Ray (Henry William) - Beloved father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2023 at Niagara Falls Hospital. Born on July 9, 1939 in Wishaw, Scotland to Jenny and Willy, brother to Moira (1944), Ray and his parents immigrated to Hamilton, Ontario where he was raised.
At the outset of his career with the Canadian diplomatic corps, Ray met his future wife, Valerie, and they moved to Pakistan, the first of numerous international postings that included San Francisco, Budapest, Atlanta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Detroit. Ray was a distinguished member of the Foreign Service for 31 years, retiring in 1999 as a Senior Trade Commissioner. Upon retirement, he and Valerie moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario where they welcomed guests at their historic Bed and Breakfast, the Wilson-Guy House, for 15 years.
Ray and Valerie were well connected to the local community in NOTL. Ray held leadership positions with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club International, St. Andrews Society, and NOTL Lawn Bowling Club. Through his teaching appointment at Niagara College as coordinator of the International Business Management Program, Ray dedicated himself to developing the next generation of students and business leaders.
Throughout his life, Ray was a voracious reader, traveler, lover of fine scotch, cigars, opera, and the English Premier League (go Hotspurs!). He also had an illustrious career as an oarsman, first organizing a high school team that won the Canadian Schoolboy Championship, being awarded the Calder-Cleland Memorial Trophy. He continued on with the Leander Boat Club, winning his first Canadian Championship and was named Oarsmen of the year (on two separate occasions). He was a member of the McMaster University Varsity Rowing Team from 1964 to 1968, serving as captain in his final three years, twice leading his team to an OQAA Championship title.
Ray demonstrated his incredible resilience after returning to anchor McMaster’s lightweight team to a first-place finish after a life-threatening car accident in 1966. He also was a member of Canada's National Rowing Team from 1966 to 1967, winning a Canadian Henley Regatta. Ray’s final race was in the 1967 Pan-American Games. Over his career, Ray won 11 Canadian Championships, two U.S. Championships, and was inducted into the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ray was a loving husband to Valerie, who passed in 2008, and devoted father to their four children, Belinda, Laura, Andrew, and Olivia. He was incredibly proud of his four grandchildren, Liam, Morgan, Alex, and Elyse. Ray was an inspiration to all that knew him and will be missed deeply by his family and friends. He will be remembered and celebrated for his generous nature, gregariousness, passion for life, and for always spinning a good yarn.
Per Ray’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life has been planned for Monday, April 10 at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club (2-4pm).Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or Rotary Foundation international Canada. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
At the outset of his career with the Canadian diplomatic corps, Ray met his future wife, Valerie, and they moved to Pakistan, the first of numerous international postings that included San Francisco, Budapest, Atlanta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and Detroit. Ray was a distinguished member of the Foreign Service for 31 years, retiring in 1999 as a Senior Trade Commissioner. Upon retirement, he and Valerie moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario where they welcomed guests at their historic Bed and Breakfast, the Wilson-Guy House, for 15 years.
Ray and Valerie were well connected to the local community in NOTL. Ray held leadership positions with the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club International, St. Andrews Society, and NOTL Lawn Bowling Club. Through his teaching appointment at Niagara College as coordinator of the International Business Management Program, Ray dedicated himself to developing the next generation of students and business leaders.
Throughout his life, Ray was a voracious reader, traveler, lover of fine scotch, cigars, opera, and the English Premier League (go Hotspurs!). He also had an illustrious career as an oarsman, first organizing a high school team that won the Canadian Schoolboy Championship, being awarded the Calder-Cleland Memorial Trophy. He continued on with the Leander Boat Club, winning his first Canadian Championship and was named Oarsmen of the year (on two separate occasions). He was a member of the McMaster University Varsity Rowing Team from 1964 to 1968, serving as captain in his final three years, twice leading his team to an OQAA Championship title.
Ray demonstrated his incredible resilience after returning to anchor McMaster’s lightweight team to a first-place finish after a life-threatening car accident in 1966. He also was a member of Canada's National Rowing Team from 1966 to 1967, winning a Canadian Henley Regatta. Ray’s final race was in the 1967 Pan-American Games. Over his career, Ray won 11 Canadian Championships, two U.S. Championships, and was inducted into the McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.
Ray was a loving husband to Valerie, who passed in 2008, and devoted father to their four children, Belinda, Laura, Andrew, and Olivia. He was incredibly proud of his four grandchildren, Liam, Morgan, Alex, and Elyse. Ray was an inspiration to all that knew him and will be missed deeply by his family and friends. He will be remembered and celebrated for his generous nature, gregariousness, passion for life, and for always spinning a good yarn.
Per Ray’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life has been planned for Monday, April 10 at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club (2-4pm).Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or Rotary Foundation international Canada. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com