Age 81, passed away Friday Sept 16th, 2011 after a long struggle with emphysema. Ray was born in Calgary, Alberta on March 10, 1930, to parents John and Nellie Pudsey. As a child he moved with his family to Vancouver BC, where he eventually met Alma Ann Blake. They were married on July 04, 1949. In 1953 they relocated to Ootsa Lake where he found employment in guiding, forestry, and mining. They settled in Wistaria, where they built their house, raised four children and became an integral part of the 'Southside' community. In 2006 they left their beloved home overlooking Ootsa Lake and Tweedsmuir Park and relocated to Burns Lake in order to be closer to services. Ray Pudsey was known for his generosity and reliability, and was always the first to lend a hand when his friends and family needed it. He was an accomplished outdoorsman and would skillfully relate many interesting stories about what it was like to live and hunt in 'the old days' to anyone who wished to hear them. He was a loving husband and a good father, and will be missed by all who knew him.
Ray Pudsey is survived by his wife Alma Pudsey; his children Randy Pudsey, Ken Pudsey, Valorie Pudsey; and his granddaughter Stella Pudsey. Ray was pre-deceased by his his son Donald Pudsey, his sister Ferne Benell, and his brother Garnet Pudsey.
A funeral Service was held on September 24, 2011 at the Wistaria Community Church, with a reception following at the Wistaria Community Hall. Ray Pudsey was laid to rest in the community cemetery at Streatham.