RAYMOND WILLIAM ALBERT MCKENZIE

RAYMOND WILLIAM ALBERT MCKENZIE April 9, 1940 – March 19, 2023 In loving memory of Raymond William Albert McKenzie who passed away peacfully at the Mindemoya Hospital on March 19, 2023. Beloved husband of Sheila (Peck). Loving father of Rhonda (Sandy) Morphet, Cindy (John) VanHarberden, Lisa (Rick) Martin, Todd, Tammy (Chris) Laidley. Grandpa of Adam, Kimberly, Christopher, Nicole, Jeffrey, Sara, Dylan, Noah, Dustin and Cole. Great-grandpa of Octavia, Hadley and Korbin. Brother to Marvin McKenzie, Neola (nee Vessilisin), Allan and Roberta (Purdy). Born to Irene McKenzie (nee Sawyer) and Albert William McKenzie. Grandson of Zaida Hillson (nee McKenzie) and Leslie McKenzie. He will be missed by many neices, nephews and friends. Raymond was a farmer at heart. He began working for Marty Brennan on the Manitoulin Valley Cattle Ranch from 1958 until 1969. On March 17, 1961 Raymond married the love of his life, Sheila. They have shared 62 wonderful years together. While at the Brennan farm he was gifted his beloved horse Betty. He absolutely loved Betty and brought her to many shows winning many awards and ribbons. He travelled around Canada and the States going to many different shows and would be quite successful at bull competitions. He would spend hours combing and brushing the bulls’ hair until it was absolutely perfect. He then moved to the family farm in Sheguiandah. He was baptized into the Jehovah’s Witness Organization in 1983. In 1991 he began building his retirement home in Mindemoya. In 1996 they moved in. He absolutely loved this area being close to Lake Manitou. There he stayed until he moved to the Manitoulin Lodge in December 2018 until his passing at the Mindemoya Hospital in March 2023. In 1999 he built “the Shack,” an Island, cozy hideaway. He was a very proud and active member of the Cattleman’s Association. Raymond was very smart at math and building. He could build anything he put his mind to without needing blueprints and even going as far as to mill his own lumber. When he wasn’t farming or building something, Raymond enjoyed hockey, playing until he broke his jaw, and he was a very good guitar player and mouth organ operator, bringing music to many functions and events. He also enjoyed spending time at “the Shack,” ice fishing, cutting wood, hunting and making maple syrup. Raymond will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.