Raye H. Gilmore

Raye H. Gilmore, husband of Mary E. Gilmore, passed away at the Charlotte County Hospital. St Stephen, NB. on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

Raye was a proud member of the IBEW and was inducted into the N.B Power 25 Year Club February 1, 2016 after 26 years and 3 months of service.

Mary met Raye at her Uncle Walker’s house in Oak Hill in February 1963. Mary was in high school and Raye was managing the family farm. He came to Walker seeking advice, well he got more than advice!  It was love at first sight. They eloped and married July 18, 1964. There are no words to describe the kind of Husband and Father Raye was.

Raye’s son, Leigh shares memories of his Dad: Today, we lost our father Raye Gilmore due to a heart condition he has had for a few years now. Some of you may not have known him but those who did will know how hard working and honest he was. Some know him as working for NB Power, but his heart was in trucking and working in the woods. Dad trucked for many years and introduced trucking to men such as Keith Chisholm as well as Jeff Chisholm who he would take with him on trips hauling chips when working for Gerald Disher who he enjoyed working for very much. Dad has many stories of running with George Morrow who was a great friend, Roy Dickinson, Paul Dickinson and David Frost. Dad had an accident in ‘85 which took him out of the trucking, but he loved every minute of it and missed it. Dad was a beast in the woods with a chainsaw. People who worked with him and for him will agree. Dad loved working in the woods and respected the woodlands much more than anyone would know. He showed me a chainsaw at early age and taught me how to run a skidder and loader at a very young age. David Henry who I used to work for many years ago would tell me stories of how he could keep up to Dad, but it wasn’t easy, but after the trucking accident he was unable to operate saw. Dad had strong solid beliefs and he would not sway from what be believed, he had a strong faith in God, even though he never went to church he was honest and would give the shirt off his back. Dad loved his family and he will be missed.

Lorraine, Ray’s eldest daughter, has many fond memories of time spent with her Dad. Most cherished are times spent going in the truck with him, working in the woods and sharing good times together that may or may not have included beer and late nights.

Raye’s daughter Lynn reflects on her Dad’s life: The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.

Dad always said that he was the richest man on the planet because he had a family that he loved so much. Truth be told, we are the ones who are richer for knowing him.

Dad worked tirelessly from a very young age and never had anything given to him. Despite this he seemed to live to help others.

Dad saw God and beauty in everything and marveled at the wonders that surround us. If he was here, he would ask all of us to keep the faith too.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

For those who wish, donations in Raye’s memory may be made to the Charlotte County SPCA or a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca