Raymond Wayne Stribbell
December 26, 1952 – December 18, 2023
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Raymond Wayne Stribbell. After a long battle with COPD, Ray passed away at 3:30 pm on December 18th, 2023, at Lake of the Woods District Hospital with his loving ‘favourite’ daughter, Ginnie Hintz, and his ‘favourite’ niece, Alexis Peplinskie, by his side.
He is predeceased by his mother, Elsie Stribbell (née Brown), father, Howard Stribbell, step-mother Shirley Stribbell (née Campbell), and brother, David Stribbell, as well as aunts and uncles Elaine (Dan) Kasper, Royce (Willa) Brown, Cliff (Pearl) Brown, Norman (Doris) Brown, and Dorothy (Archie) Clampitt.
Ray is survived by his daughter, Ginnie (James) Hintz, grandchildren Cloe Hintz and Drew Hintz (Papa Ray would say every day how he was super proud of his grandchildren’s achievements and work ethic), sister Linda (Glenn) Richardson, brother, Greg (Roxanne) Stribbell, niece Alexis (Dave) Peplinskie, great-niece Ellie, great-nephew Trent, and aunt June (Bob) Stewart. He had many favourite cousins who were like siblings to him.
Ray was born in Hagersville, ON, where he started his first job at the age of 11, slinging garbage with his brother Greg for the family garbage truck business. Ray was never without a job and worked across the country until he settled in Kenora, where he worked for McDonald’s Cedar Sawmill, Lori Gray Horticulture, Godbout Auto, Lake of the Woods Hotel Restaurant, and for Select Shows Fair. He retired after 20 years at his favourite job as a legendary crew member and roller operator (nicknamed Rubber Tire Ray) for Miller Northwest. They were his work family whom he loved and couldn’t wait to return to after a long winter. He still had a picture of everyone on his wall.
Ray’s sense of adventure was endless. He would take off to Belize, Cuba or Mexico and camp out at a random beach. To this day, he still talks to friends he made while away. He was a social butterfly and made friends wherever he went. Ray always had a smile on his face; he was kind, generous to a fault and had a wicked sense of humour.
Special thanks go out to the ParaMed staff and community paramedics who ensured Ray was okay every morning (which was the hardest time of the day for him); the community health peer support, the paramedics, and all the awesome staff on 3E who were so busy but always so kind even when working a double shift. Palliative care nurse Char was greatly appreciated for not only being there for Ray but also for making sure Gin was okay during the six days Ray was in palliative care. Ray received excellent longterm care from NP Mike Reid, who went above and beyond and did home visit appointments. Thank you to Ray’s doctors, Dr. Drake, Dr. Slade, Dr. Noack, and many more. Thanks to The Medicine Shoppe ladies and Lorna, whom Ray asked if her picture could be a little bigger on his calendar. She replied, “I don’t want to be your pin-up girl!” Thank you to Wellwise and Jessica Plante – you get things done! – to KDSB for providing a safe home and especially to his friend Jason. Ray had too many friends to name, but we are so grateful for his best friends Marc (Sherry) Caron, who called every day and visited often; Richard Fraser, who visited every day; Tim, Terry and Bobby Jo Bodner, who called and texted often. His sister Linda, who was also his best friend, called almost daily. Dr. Beveridge (who started the palliative care program 35 years ago) for calling the nurses to check in on Gin. Thank you so much to all of Gin’s home and cottage families for your patience over the years when cleaning schedules were changed in order for Gin to care for her Dad. A final thank you to our family and support group while we were living in the hospital and beyond: Greg, Roxi, Lex, Linda, Jessica, James, Cloe, Drew, Lorne, and Janice; your support means so much.
We would love it if you could please share your memories and photos with Ray.
A celebration of life will take place in the spring before Miller Construction starts work. Ray loved listening to music and prepared a playlist just for the occasion. We are so very proud of him and wish him a Happy Heavenly 71st Birthday on Boxing Day.
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Walking Each Other Home – Dierks Bentley
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Stribbell family.
