Ray Marriner
June 13 1932 ~ January 24, 2013
Ray was born in Wickham, Hampshire, moved to Exton, Hampshire at age three and lived there during World War II. He was educated in Hampshire and performed National service as a munitions inspector. He later worked as a painter and decorator.
In 1956 Ray came to Toronto, subsequently returned to England and immigrated to Calgary in 1957.
In Calgary, Ray established his painting and decorating business. He purchased old houses, which he renovated and resold. He was an instructor at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and a volunteer on ski patrol at Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. He also served on the Board of Hostelling for Southern Alberta and was a long term member of The Rocky Mountain Ramblers, a hiking group.
On a hiking expedition Ray met a girl from Germany named Annemarie Sakowitz. They were married in Calgary on July 30, 1970. Together they built a home on twenty acres east of Calgary. In 1988 they moved to Creston Valley and built a home in Canyon. They lived there until failing health necessitated relocation to Swan Valley Lodge.
Ray was an outstanding contributor to Creston Valley Forest Corp., worked on watershed protection and built hiking trails. He was an avid hiker himself and enjoyed the mountains.
Ray had a collection of legal books and often helped people who had legal dilemmas. He was a blood donor for over twenty years.
Ray was predeceased by his parents Edward and Mabel Marriner and his niece Pauline Carpenter (Richard).
He is survived by his wife Annemarie of Swan Valley Lodge; brother Dennis Marriner (Jean); sister Ella Fuller; nieces Linda Houlton (Bill) and Jane Ward; nephews-in-law Stephan and Oliver Sakowitz (Maja), and grand nieces and nephews.
Cremation will precede a Memorial Service at G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, 15 Ave. N., Creston, BC on February 1, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Ashes will be scattered in May, 2013.
In memorandum contributions may be made to Wildsight, #2 - 495 Wallinger Ave., Kimberly, BC, V1A 1Z6
Wildsight was originally called The East Kootenay Environmental Society. Ray was a founding member and an important contributor.