Obituary of Raymond Harold Pretty

Raymond Harold Pretty

October 2, 1950 – November 8, 2022

Corner Brook, NL

It is with great sadness that the family of the late Raymond Harold Pretty announce his peaceful passing on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 surrounded by his loving family at Western Memorial Regional Hospital at the age of 72 years. He leaves to mourn with fond and loving memories his wife of 49 years Valerie (nee Purchase); brother and sisters: Calvin (Sandra), Sylvia (Brian) and Sandra (Bert); sisters and brother-in-law: Elaine Watton, Derek (Sue) Purchase, Cathy Purchase and Shirley Purchase; nephews and nieces: Michael (Nicole), Alison (Wayne), Travis (Amiee), Jeremy, Jared (Sarah), Bradley, Keith (Janet), Sharon (Steve), Kim (Matt), Adrian (Laura), Matthew (Miranda), Laura (John), Nicole (Josh) and Katherine; great-nieces and nephews: Faith, Violet, Russell, Callum, Brooke, Jack, Gabe, Amelia, Andrew, Abby, Paige and Mariah; aunts: Mame Day, Betty Martin and Marjorie Noble; special lifelong friends who were like family Boyd and Maude Fisher; as well as a large circle of other relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents Bride and Harold “Hop” Pretty, parents-in-law Irene and Frank Purchase, brothers-in-law Karl Purchase and Wayne Purchase, sister-in-law Elizabeth Purchase.  

Ray dedicated 48 years of his professional life to Harvey & Co. He will be remembered by his coworkers and customers for his knowledge and outstanding service. Ray was a self-taught carpenter, handyman, jack of all trades. Over the years, he completed countless projects. Ray built camper vans for himself and his family, independently renovated his home multiple times, and built extravagant dollhouses and toys for his nieces and nephews. He built “lazy susans” to intricate horse race games, and anything requested in between. He was meticulous and accepted only the highest quality of his work. Despite this, he would never consider creating for profit - his joy was in giving and the process itself.

Ray enjoyed being outdoors, whether it was hunting, fishing and skidooing with Calvin, camping, helping with the latest project at Port Blandford, or puttering outside in his shed. Ray was quiet and thoughtful, but also clever and quick witted. His kind eyes and mischievous smile will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Those who knew Ray knew he had a “selective” palate. To summarize Ray’s tastes, his brother-in-law Brian coined the phrase: “chicken, steak, & chocolate cake, and make it quick”.

Ray loved his friends and family dearly. He and Valerie had many cherished memories of road trips to the United States, Montreal, and all over Newfoundland in their camper vans with Sandra, Bert, Calvin and Sandra, Sylvia and Brian, and their parents. When ALS began to rob him of his mobility and hobbies, his greatest comfort remained spending time with family and friends - sitting, sharing, and laughing. Above all else, his love for his wife Valerie was unparalleled. Val’s  strength and advocacy for Ray during this difficult disease has been nothing short of extraordinary. 

A special thank you Bert and Sandra, Calvin and Boyd for everything. For transportation to all of Ray’s medical appointments, driving across the island to the wedding, the last-minute renovations and plumbing, snow clearing and yard work, for the leisurely drives to Pasadena and Deer Lake. But most of all, for being there, only a phone call away, for Ray and Val no matter the time of day. Thank you to Derek for covering flights to St John’s to attend appointments, and when Ray was not feeling up for flying - for driving Ray home. 

We would like to thank Ms. Corrine Wiseman and Dr Paula Barker for their above-and-beyond care and support. We would also like to thank Dr. Mark Stefanelli, Dr. Megan White, Dr. Marc Kawaja, Dr. Rand Hanoosh, Dr. Mike Gora, Meagan Humphrey, and the 4AB nurses from Western Memorial Regional Hospital for their compassionate care. Thank you Dr. Nicole Purchase for helping us navigate the system. We would like to thank the secretary of Dr. Alexandra MacDougall for her aid in connecting Ray with neurology. Thank you to Irene Sheppard of Maximum Support, Western Health’s Community Support, Dallan Kennedy and Dennis Porter.

A big thank you to Corinne Power, Cheryl Power and the ALS Society for their support and assistance in seamlessly providing necessary equipment. Thank you to the Vestry and Parish Council of St John the Evangelist who put off a barbecue fundraiser in support of the ALS Society in Ray’s name. A special thank you to Dean Catherine and Patty George for being such a strong support for Valerie along this journey. 

Raymond believed that Jesus was his Lord and saviour and for that, we know he is at peace. Ray will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. As beautifully summarized by his sister-in-law, Elaine: Ray went peacefully and with dignity. He doesn’t have to suffer any more and ALS is no longer going to rob him of his independence. In that way, we believe he has beaten ALS. 

Visitation will be at Fillatre’s Funeral Home on Friday, November 11 from 2-4PM and 7-9PM. Funeral service will take place at St John the Evangelist Cathedral on Saturday, November 12 at 2pm. With consideration of elderly and immunocompromised Ray’s family, we maintain that masks are mandatory at all services. Interment to follow at Mount Patricia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the ALS Society of NL or St John the Evangelist Cathedral.