Raymond Lymer

Ray Lymer of Haliburton, in his 86th year, passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 6th at Peterborough Regional Health Center. He was born on July 29th , 1936, to parents Arthur and Vera of Oshawa Ontario. An avid basketball player, he attended Oshawa Central Collegiate until he took full time employment at General Motors in Oshawa in 1953. He blossomed in a range of careers including supervising the Tech Center at GM, welcoming customers as a Service Advisor for three GM Dealerships, helping his community as a counselor in Snowdon Township, and his latest and
continuing ‘volunteer’ position of overseeing and undertaking anything that needed to be done at his Granite Cove Condo residence in Haliburton. Throughout his entire life, friends knew Ray for his sunny disposition, bright words and unstoppable energy. Many friends and acquaintances will recall
being cheered by his infectious declaration of “It’s a day!”  Survived by and married to (Mary) Eleanor Lymer (nee Crumback) in 1958, they were inseparable partners for over 63 years. As a loving father, Ray is survived by John (Laurie), and Bob (Maggie), and fondly remembered by his brother Doug (Sonny), grandchildren Jenny (Stephen) and Beth (Scott), and great-granddaughter Isabelle. His brother Bill (Reva) predeceased him. Also lovingly
remembered by his nieces and nephew.  Ray’s passion was cars. He won the Oshawa Junior Chamber of Commerce Teenage Safe Driving
Road-E-O, placed second in the Central and Southwestern Ontario competition, and participated in the All-Canada Title competition in Ottawa at age 19. Passing this passion for driving to his newly licenced sons, he navigated while his sons competed in car rallies as part of their driver training. A
generation later, he taught both granddaughters to drive, cruising county roads with them for hours. Through his entire life, he exchanged his cars and trucks biannually for the latest bright red ‘Hot Rod’. He and Eleanor often toured the county backroads to explore new places and simply drive, especially if the destination was lunch where they met their close group of friends to talk away the afternoon. As one of the outspoken founders of the South Lake Association of Cottagers and Residents (SLACAR), he helped organize and run annual corn roasts where he routinely won the horseshoe tournament, including one eventful year where he defeated his eldest son in an extra ends nail biter. Eleanor’s unwavering and vocal support for Ray during this showdown came as a shock to the son, but undeniably characterized their relationship of love and support for one another no matter what. As he raised his two sons, he actively coached winning soccer and hockey teams and ran the 13th Oshawa Cub and Scout groups long after his sons had passed through. He spent countless hours in his basement wood shop with his youngest son, teaching him the practical side of life. He enjoyed bowling throughout life, playing in Whitby and Minden, and later added shuffleboard to the mix. But his favorite pastime was lunch with friends, around which his schedule revolved. He will be dearly missed by his two granddaughters, Jenny and Beth, with whom he spent countless hours on South Lake teaching them how to ski, sail, and motorboat. Each visit, a new activity was crafted by Ray as he would build Jenny and Beth water sports equipment and games out of wood, sledding courses down the property, and skating rinks on the lake. Any need was met, as he routinely and affectionately asked his granddaughters “what do you need”, especially around lunch time when the chips were running low. Through all these actions, subtle smiles and laughter, Jenny and Beth knew that Ray loved them deeply, and they both aspire to live as an enriched and happy life as he did. Ray loved spending time in the company of his family, granddaughters and countless friends. Many will dearly miss him.

Remembrance Gathering & Reception

Friends are invited to call at the HALIBURTON COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME 13523 Hwy. #118, Haliburton, Ontario (705) 457-9209 on Thursday morning, March 10, 2022 from 11 a.m. - 12 (Noon) for a visit with the family, followed by a reception in The Community Room. At the family's request, all visitors are asked to provide proof of vaccination and to wear a mask. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario or Highlands Summer Festival would be appreciated by the family. 

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