Obituary for Ray Albert Lowes
It is with heavy hearts the family of Ray Lowes announce his passing on Thursday Jan 7, 2021 at LaVerendrye Hospital with his wife by his side. He was born on March 19,1938 to Albert & Eva Lowes. He grew up in Sleeman and Rainy River Ont.
He married Marion Wrolstad on Feb 21, 1964 and spent 56 years together. They had three children.
Dad had a barber shop in Fort Frances for 10 years in the 1960s before moving the family back to Rainy River to work at the family business Lowes Lumber in Sleeman, Ont. The family then moved back to Fort Frances in the early 70’s and dad owned and operated his own truck for a few years . He worked for Kingsway Transport and later for Motorways/Gardwine. He made nightly week night trips to Winnipeg and was known to everyone on the CB radio as “RPM”.
Ray and Marion enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin on Lowes Island on Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ont. They also enjoyed camping with their fifth wheel and spent a few winters after retirement in Texas and Florida. Dad loved to travel.
Dad enjoyed when his grandchildren visited, and always shared his candy stash with them. He liked to challenge them to games of checkers or croquet, although he always made up his own rules as he went along! He was Landon’s #1 hockey fan and watched many of his and the great grandchildren’s hockey games.
In his younger days he drove stock car at the emo speedway, and competed in snowmobile races. He loved his toys!
Dad made many lifelong friendships and always kept in touch either by visits or phone calls. He always liked to chat with people and share stories. After retirement when he wasn’t enjoying a morning coffee and conversation with friends at McDonalds, or watching CNN on tv, he could always be found tinkering in his garage. There was always a project he was working on.
He is survived by his loving wife Marion, his daughters Diane Thompson (Bruce) Terri Mihichuk (Mike), his son Brent Lowes (Beanie); his granddaughters Ashlee Grimard (Joel) Hope Mosbeck (Eric); his grandsons Dawson Mihichuk and Landon Lowes; his great grandchildren Jaxon and Jase Grimard and Eva, Axl, Arlo and Chet Mosbeck; his siblings Dale Lowes (Bunny) and Dixie Vellieux. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Donna Runke, and brother-in-law Marlow Wrolstad (Cathy) as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents Albert and Eva Lowes, his in-laws Marvin & Ellen Wrolstad, brother-in-laws Donald Runke and Harvey Vellieux, and sister-in-law June Lowes.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and compassion given by Dr. Nugent and the nursing staff at LaVerendrye Hospital along with the ladies in the chemo unit, Donna, Diane and Cathy.
Cremation has taken place, and as per dads wishes there will be no service.
If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Health Care - Chemo Unit, 110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 2B7 or to Canadian Red Cross, 32 Colonization Avenue, Dryden, ON, P8N 2L7.
“Rest in Peace RPM and keep those big wheels turning”
He married Marion Wrolstad on Feb 21, 1964 and spent 56 years together. They had three children.
Dad had a barber shop in Fort Frances for 10 years in the 1960s before moving the family back to Rainy River to work at the family business Lowes Lumber in Sleeman, Ont. The family then moved back to Fort Frances in the early 70’s and dad owned and operated his own truck for a few years . He worked for Kingsway Transport and later for Motorways/Gardwine. He made nightly week night trips to Winnipeg and was known to everyone on the CB radio as “RPM”.
Ray and Marion enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin on Lowes Island on Lake of the Woods, Morson, Ont. They also enjoyed camping with their fifth wheel and spent a few winters after retirement in Texas and Florida. Dad loved to travel.
Dad enjoyed when his grandchildren visited, and always shared his candy stash with them. He liked to challenge them to games of checkers or croquet, although he always made up his own rules as he went along! He was Landon’s #1 hockey fan and watched many of his and the great grandchildren’s hockey games.
In his younger days he drove stock car at the emo speedway, and competed in snowmobile races. He loved his toys!
Dad made many lifelong friendships and always kept in touch either by visits or phone calls. He always liked to chat with people and share stories. After retirement when he wasn’t enjoying a morning coffee and conversation with friends at McDonalds, or watching CNN on tv, he could always be found tinkering in his garage. There was always a project he was working on.
He is survived by his loving wife Marion, his daughters Diane Thompson (Bruce) Terri Mihichuk (Mike), his son Brent Lowes (Beanie); his granddaughters Ashlee Grimard (Joel) Hope Mosbeck (Eric); his grandsons Dawson Mihichuk and Landon Lowes; his great grandchildren Jaxon and Jase Grimard and Eva, Axl, Arlo and Chet Mosbeck; his siblings Dale Lowes (Bunny) and Dixie Vellieux. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Donna Runke, and brother-in-law Marlow Wrolstad (Cathy) as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents Albert and Eva Lowes, his in-laws Marvin & Ellen Wrolstad, brother-in-laws Donald Runke and Harvey Vellieux, and sister-in-law June Lowes.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful care and compassion given by Dr. Nugent and the nursing staff at LaVerendrye Hospital along with the ladies in the chemo unit, Donna, Diane and Cathy.
Cremation has taken place, and as per dads wishes there will be no service.
If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Health Care - Chemo Unit, 110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 2B7 or to Canadian Red Cross, 32 Colonization Avenue, Dryden, ON, P8N 2L7.
“Rest in Peace RPM and keep those big wheels turning”