Gordon Ray Conn (Ray) passed peacefully on July 25, 2023, at Campbell House. Ray, in his 80th year, is survived by his devoted wife Sandra (nee Hendry) who in September would have celebrated 59 years of marriage. Loving father of Jeffrey (Susan) and Stephen (Tracey) and adored Poppa of Mitchell (Kylie) Brad (Holly) Adam (Bri) Jordan (Ben). Ray was predeceased by his parents Gordon (1979) and Eldred (nee McKean) (2015)
Ray was an only child who grew up on the family farm in Gibraltar. Ray left home in 1962 To work in the Port Weller shipyards only to return to Collingwood with his young family in 1969 to take over running the family farm and work in the Collingwood Shipyards as a burner until 1986, just prior to the Yard closing. At which time, Ray then started his own aggregate business “Conn’s Sand and Gravel” hauling gravel out of the family farm gravel pit and continuing to farm until his health started declining in 2007. During the many years of hauling gravel, Ray’s daily co-pilot in the dump truck was his dog “Brandy”.
Ray moved from the family farm to Collingwood in 2015, this was not an easy transition for him after spending 70 years on the farm. After a period of adjustment, he soon had new routines to include morning meetings at Tim Hortons with his retired buddies. Ray called it the way he saw it and was not shy to share his point of view with others. Some of his passions included cooking, Sunday drives in the country, his many faith-full dogs, new and old cars/trucks, heavy equipment, cutting grass, blowing snow, watching sports especially the Leafs and Jays, the history channel and he enjoyed W.W. II documentaries.
Ray was fortunate to do some traveling, being a proud Canadian he traveled to the East and West coast of Canada including Alaska, these were fond memories that he would often speak about, coming from the mountain he was particularly fond of the Canadian Rockies.
Ray was extremely proud and always supportive of his family, and he enjoyed keeping up with their lives interests and challenges while always ready to offer encouragement, support, and friendly advice.
The Conn family wishes to thank the healthcare team at Collingwood Hospital who have taken excellent care of him over the past year as he has been in and out of the hospital. Campbell House, whose team were outstanding in looking after Ray in his final days, Mary’s Pharmacy for their kindness and lastly to Dr. M. Quigg and his staff for their many years of support/care in getting him the treatment he needed.
In lieu of flowers donations in Ray’s memory can be made to Hospice Georgian Triangle - Campbell House or Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. A celebration of Life will be hosted at Fawcett Funeral Home in Collingwood on Wednesday August 9, 2023, with visitation at 1 p.m. for the service in the chapel at 2 p.m. followed by a reception. Friends may visit Ray’s online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com