Our Ray

It was on the 1st of March 2023, when Raymond’s daughter, our Melissa, found Ray at home.

Our Ray of Sunshine was no longer with us.

Raymond was born 8 December 1965 at home in West Derby. A whopping 10lb, he went on to win the beautiful baby competition due to his big brown eyes and his cheeky sideways smile and thanks to his family dropping in that year to Butlins. As soon as he stood, he learnt to throw his shoulders back, a trait he had learnt from his dad. He was the youngest of three siblings at the time of his birth, following Linda and William. Raymond became the protective older brother to Christine when she was born 7 years later.

Raymond was devastated by the loss of his dad when he was just 17. Ray moved away from Liverpool and went to work offshore and overseas, returning later to Liverpool.

Our Ray was my first best mate. Me and our Ray spent a lot of time with our Mum after our Dad died. Our Mum knew things. We listened to music a lot, mostly John Lennon, reggae or rebel music, but we listened to our Mum more. We got to know things too. We all felt empathy, caring, compassion and hope for a peaceful world.

In his younger days with his dashing good looks, abundance of hair, winning personality and unique dance moves, he became the toast of the State Ballroom.

These were the years that me and our Ray embraced life and jumped around in a blissful state. Everyone knew our Ray, my mates swooned when they found out he was my brother.

Ray loved a party and party he did, with his family and friends, making great memories which will last a lifetime.

Ray lived life on his own terms, sailed close to the wind and occasionally burnt his wings on the sun. Raymond’s greatest love of his life was his daughter, Melissa, born in 1991. They were never closer and happier than they were at the time of his death.

“My dad had his own unique soul.
What a life he lived, like his own version of a rock and roll legend!
57 years you lived it and raved it Ray-mondo!
Through all your struggles you still walked with pride, shoulders back and head held high.
I hope you’re buzzing. I hope you’re clapping in time.”

When the rest of us we were back to work on Monday, Ray would go for a “toby”. We learnt to know that we wouldn’t see him for a few days then.

Ray tobied out in the world for years.

Those closest to Ray were aware of his struggles and they loved and supported him, as he loved and supported them in any way he could. It was challenging at times, keeping up with the lost phones and new numbers, but he knew he was loved, and everyone knew that Ray loved them. He would say to anyone he just met “ahh I love you yanno”. Ray helped us all to feel love and to accept life for what it is. He would always laugh at us when we took life too seriously.

Raymond was funny, profound, spiritual, loving, loyal and caring. He had a strong sense of justice and an intense love of life.

When Raymond came to stay with us in October 2022, I showed him our bricks. Raymond recalled the sounds of our youth, raving and going to a mad KLF squat party in London with Linda, his older sister. I asked Ray if he would he like to be part of the People’s Pyramid, and he said “Is right! That would be boss!” and did his laugh. We didn’t realise we would be needing a brick so soon.

Ray felt the love.

Ray knew what time it was.

Our Voodoo Ray.

We love you yanno!