Louise Braatz says:

How do you say goodbye to the guy who used to hide gross lima beans in my mashed potatoes? Of course, it’s a precious memory now. How am I to understand how my big brother Ray had to leave so soon? What am I supposed to do with this broken heart? I wish I could find him and bring him back the way he found me when I was lost.

I was only five years old and, as I remember, my mom and her angelic mother just went for a short walk around the block in Revelstoke BC where my grandparents were living at the time. I don’t remember whether I had been told to stay put or if I was sleeping or what but I do remember suddenly realizing I was alone. I panicked and ran in the direction I thought they had gone. To this day, I am one of those people who has no sense of direction at all. As pathetic as it sounds, I can get turned around inside of a shopping mall. Anyway, I soon realized I was lost. I was crying out loud when a very kind lady asked me if I was lost. I believe I only nodded in reply. She said she would find my mommy and for me to come inside and sit by the window in her kitchen while enjoying a comforting glass of milk and a slice of bread and strawberry jam. Pretty soon I saw my big brother wandering around in the park across the street and I started screaming “bobo, bobo” (Ray’s nickname) while pointing at him and checking to see if the lady understood why I was getting so excited. She understood and she asked someone to go over and get my brother. Next thing I knew I was safe in my brother’s arms just as he is safe, I believe, in the arms of an angel now. Even though I was only five I knew I would be reunited with my family. Someday we’ll all be reunited and what a happy day that will be!

I remember the day this photo was taken and how happy everyone was. Especially my father. It was daddy’s wedding day. It was his second marriage and judging by the look on my brother’s freshly groomed face, he was genuinely happy for my father as were so many of us. My brother was my father’s best man. What a joy it was to watch as my dear father’s marriage was witnessed by the best brother there ever was.

At this time, I want to offer my sincere sympathy to all four of Ray’s children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know his children much better recently. I know my brother well enough to say that he would be honoured by their exemplary love for each other. He would be proud of the way their combined efforts made ‘the celebration of his life’ possible. He would certainly appreciate and thank everyone who attended his celebration. He loved to socialize, to share a laugh and a song.

Ray, I will love you always and forever and ever.
Louise (sister)

Louise Braatz says:

My brother, Ray, wrote the following in March of 2011. It wasn’t uncommon for Ray to write on dinner napkins or scrap pieces of paper like this one whenever he wanted to express something or jot down an idea. He loved to write but he also loved to draw quick little sketches especially when we played Pictionary. Along with Balderdash, it was a game he always thoroughly enjoyed playing. If I can find a little sketch (I am in the midst of renovating)I will post it. Sure hope no one minds that I’ve posted more than once here. Please feel free to share a story or photo.
Ray’s sis, Louise