Hi Everyone,
I received word today that Ray Norman, long time OPR volunteer, (aka turckersau) passed away on Friday. Ray was only 59, but had some serious health problems that he didn't let him slow him down until the very end. I will miss Ray and his wonderful sense of humor and all that he gave to OPR. I will always remember his devotion to helping his family through their tough times. It seems like only yesterday, but in fact it was a year ago today that we received this message from Ray:
QuoteHi everyone,
First I must thank everyone for your cards and words of encouragement. I then must apologize for not staying in touch.
I am still having chemo & radiation treatment, I have not fully recovered from my stroke that I had earlier this year. I seem to sleep a lot these days.
Please remember that I do think of you all.
I don't like spreading bad stuff around, so I tend to keep this stuff to myself, I know you are all doing such a great job, I don't like to bring anyone down. When I can I know I will return to OPR.
Thank you again.
:loveit:
Ray...
We will miss you Ray!
Margie
Very sad news Margie,
I always loved Ray's posts on the forum and will miss him a lot, he was such a friendly guy, always willing to help and such a good sport when he asked for help as well.
I hope Ray's family will find the strength to cope with this terrible loss,
Hannie
Here is a walk down memory lane for Ray aka truckersau:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23409694@N00/sets/72157603563056453/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/23409694@N00/sets/72157603563056453/)
It's so sad to hear of Ray's passing. :'( His humour will be sorely missed.
My heart breaks to hear of Ray's passing. He was such a great restoration artist and volunteer, and a terrific part of the OPR forum. May he rest in peace.
Christine :'(
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6366/inremembranceraynorman.jpg)
This is the way that we'll always see Ray!!
That is very sad news. I can remember us sending cards more than a year ago and it doesn't feel that long ago at all.
My condolances for all his loved ones, family and friends.
I just saw his work as a slideshow. It's impressive and inspirational in quality and quantity. He and his work deseve a prominent permanent hommage on this site.
Candice, thanks for posting the pictures of Ray. I went back through some of Ray's post and you can't help but smile when you read them. I didn't mean to go over board, but thought you might like to see them again:
Sept 20, 2007 was the first post from Ray http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,931.msg8905.html#msg8905
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,939.msg9033.html#msg9033 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,939.msg9033.html#msg9033)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,975.msg9469.html#msg9469 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,975.msg9469.html#msg9469)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,988.msg9630.html#msg9630 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,988.msg9630.html#msg9630)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1099.msg10938.html#msg10938 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1099.msg10938.html#msg10938)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1063.msg10769.html#msg10769 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1063.msg10769.html#msg10769)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11099.html#msg11099 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11099.html#msg11099)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1146.msg11454.html#msg11454 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1146.msg11454.html#msg11454)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1112.msg11308.html#msg11308 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1112.msg11308.html#msg11308)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11135.html#msg11135 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11135.html#msg11135)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1185.msg11913.html#msg11913 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1185.msg11913.html#msg11913)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1194.msg12095.html#msg12095 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1194.msg12095.html#msg12095)
Margie
Thanks Margie,
Ray was slowing down when I joined, it was great to see some of his input to OPR. 150 images in 5 1/2 months is more than impressive.
Glenna, Kitty Litter cake just blows my mind. Any future comments from you will be viewed in a very different light :crazy:
Athol
Sorry to hear about Ray. May his family find some comfort in the good wishes from friends and memories of better times.
Tori
Quote from: MarCat on August 09, 2009, 03:57:23 AM
Candice, thanks for posting the pictures of Ray. I went back through some of Ray's post and you can't help but smile when you read them. I didn't mean to go over board, but thought you might like to see them again:
Sept 20, 2007 was the first post from Ray http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,931.msg8905.html#msg8905
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,939.msg9033.html#msg9033 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,939.msg9033.html#msg9033)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,975.msg9469.html#msg9469 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,975.msg9469.html#msg9469)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,988.msg9630.html#msg9630 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,988.msg9630.html#msg9630)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1099.msg10938.html#msg10938 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1099.msg10938.html#msg10938)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1063.msg10769.html#msg10769 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1063.msg10769.html#msg10769)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11099.html#msg11099 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11099.html#msg11099)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1146.msg11454.html#msg11454 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1146.msg11454.html#msg11454)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1112.msg11308.html#msg11308 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1112.msg11308.html#msg11308)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11135.html#msg11135 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1113.msg11135.html#msg11135)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1185.msg11913.html#msg11913 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1185.msg11913.html#msg11913)
http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1194.msg12095.html#msg12095 (http://www.operationphotorescue.org/forum/index.php/topic,1194.msg12095.html#msg12095)
Margie
He was filled with life. It was grand reading back through his posts. You know that he continued restoration whenever he could and with each new post he got better. I know that he enjoyed his time here very much.
Thank you for bringing back memories Margie.
Reading Ray's posts brings tears to my eyes.
Hannie
So very sorry to hear of Ray's passing,he will be missed. :'(
May God rest his soul.
It brings great sorrow to hear of Ray's passing, regardless of his own condition at any time he was always of good humor, and a great wit.
He will be missed.
Max
He was a very sweet man, and I am very moved by the outpouring of kind remarks by our forum members.
Jan
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/6366/inremembranceraynorman.jpg)
Correction on the date.
Btw, the flower behind Ray came from his yard and is called a "Cats claw Cactus" He posted it on flickr on June the 1st. I thought it would be appropriate, when asked to help the family, to use his own work for the picture for the memorial. Humble to be part and sad to have lost a friend, am I.
Amazing the friends you meet through the internet!! And you're part of them.
I have been busy and was away from the forum for few days. Just came back and learned the sad new. I will miss Ray. He is a good man.
He was a good and loving man and I will miss him. He always made me laugh when I was sure all I wanted to do was take a hammer to Photoshop.
MJ
Received this from Roslyn this morning. Thought I'd share it with you all.
------------------------------------------------------
The funeral has been arranged for Friday 14 August 09 at 9.30am.
I don't know if you will have time to send a flower arrangement to the service as it is only about 36 hours away. It's 9.30pm here on Wednesday night.
If you do address the flowers it needs to go to;
Funeral of Ray Norman
West Chapel Crematorium
Pinegrove Memorial Park
Kington Street
Minchinbury NSW 2770
Australia
Regards,
Roslyn
----------------------
The first delivery day is on the day of the service and the time cannot be guaranteed. My husband and I opted to send flowers to Ray's sisters home. She would welcome your words and cards too. I have provided the link for a FTD Florist. As I was told only certain things can go to Australia. Prayers welcome also.
Below is Ray's sister's address.
Mrs Irene Robertson
Site 72
Nepean River Holiday Village
Mackellar Street
Emu Plains NSW 2750
Australia
http://www.ftdfloristsonline.com/flowers/product/bright-arrangement-in-ceramic-container/display (http://www.ftdfloristsonline.com/flowers/product/bright-arrangement-in-ceramic-container/display)
Candy, you're the best for being our "social director." The portrait of Ray is awesome. I'm going to make it part of the display on my new digital photo frame.
I don't know if it's my age (240 this year! Wowser), but while I mourn Ray's loss and am grief-stricken for his family, my main feeling is gratitude for knowing such a wonderful, sharing man whose sense of humor was priceless. I'm amazed at the volume of restorations on his resumé. That has to count very highly with whoever keeps score of our "pluses" and "minusus."
I keep the following sentiment in my "treasure box" for occasions like this, as it gives me great comfort. I hope it does the same for Ray's beloved family, both in Australia and in OPR.
"We can't know why the lily has so brief a time
to bloom in the warmth of sunlight's kiss upon its face
before it folds its fragrance in and bids the world good-night
to rest its beauty in a gentler place.
But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost,
and no one who has ever touched a heart
can really pass away, because some beauty lingers on
in each memory of which they've been a part." -- Ellen Brenneman
Ray, may the continuation of your journey be filled with light. You'll be so missed and always loved.
To Ray's family: I mourn your loss, but I also know that you are so fortunate to have had this wonderful man as part of your life. Rejoice in that and allow it to soothe your sadness.
With much love
GK
I posted what y'all have written on facebook today.
Roslyn wrote: Thanks for sharing Candice, I had a look, it's beautiful what some people have written.
Thanks Candice!
Thanks also to Tess for ordering a wreath to be sent to the funeral from all of us. She managed to meet the deadline in time for the service. The wreath will be covered in native flowers which Ray loved. The card will read:
QuoteRay will be remembered forever in our hearts for his wonderful giving nature and sense of humour. His work will live on in our gallery and the photos he restored.
From Operation Photo Rescue
Margie
:up: Wonderful and I'm sure that family appreciated it.
Hi Candice,
This note is to let you know Irene received the flowers from you and your husband and wants to thank you very much, they were beautiful.
Also, I saw the note on the OPR website about the wreath of flowers. I made mention of it in my speech and what was to be written on the card. Thank you to everyone for their lovely words and condolences. Thank you for the wreath of flowers, they were beautiful!
Sincerely,
Roslyn
Thanks Candice.