Mr. Raymond ‘Ray’ Eugene Johnston, beloved husband of Mrs. Ellen Johnston of Red Deer, Alberta passed away at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the age of 86 years. Ray was born to Graham and Kathleen Johnston on April 30, 1938 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ray married the love of his life, Ellen, on April 23, 1962, in St. Mary’s Star of The Sea, Whitehouse, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim. Ray and Ellen shared sixty-two wonderful years of marriage together during which they had five children. Donna, Paul, Martin, and Tara were born in Northern Ireland. The family immigrated to Canada in 1976, and welcomed their son, Mark in 1980, Red Deer Alberta. A painter by trade, Ray worked hard all his life while building his business, Enterprise Painting and Decorating, into a flourishing and respected business. Ray loved to travel, and he and his family took many trips together including camping in the Rocky Mountains, trips to the USA, and many trips back to Ireland. Ray loved nothing more than throwing a few suitcases in the car and heading off down the highway, sometimes with no clear destination in mind. Ray took great pleasure in attending the many sporting events for his numerous grandchildren and could often be found in the various arenas and soccer fields of Central Alberta cheering on his pride and joy. Ray will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, Ellen, his children; Donna (Ken), Paul (Monique), Martin (Carole), Tara (Sean) and Mark, his grandchildren; Connor (Elyse) Shea (Katelyn) Declan, Brady, Kieran, Breanna, Caelen, Aislinn, Rachel, Brynn (Aidan), Regan, and his great grandchildren, Everly, and Beau. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers, Peter (Anne), Desmond, and Paul (Anne), his sister, Mary, his sisters-in-law, Bridie, Eilish, and Rosaleen and numerous nieces and nephews. Ray was predeceased by his father, Graham and his mother, Kathleen, his brothers; Hugh, and Graham, his sisters-in-law, Margaret and Irene, his father-in-law and his mother-in-law, James and Elizabeth McNally, his brothers-in-law, John, Patrick, and Frank and his sisters-in-law, Irene and Margaret. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, staff, and caregivers of Unit 32 at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre for their amazing care and compassion. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6 McMillan Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. with The Reverend Father Mirek Kostarzewski Celebrant. Interment followed at the Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer County, Alberta. A livestream of Ray’s service may be viewed at www.stmarysparish.jimdo.com. If desired and in lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in Ray’s honour may be made directly to the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation at www.rdrhfoundation.com or the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta at www.alzheimer.ca. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

• Date : 2024-05-26
• Location : (Red Deer) Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com