Obituary of Raymond Michael Schmuck

A memorial folder from the funeral service can be printed under the "Memories" tab, then click "Memorial Folder". SCHMUCK - Raymond Schmuck beloved husband of Pam Schmuck of the Otthon district passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Raymond Michael Schmuck was born November 30, 1963 at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, the sixth child born to Matthew and Frances (Polegi) Schmuck. He passed away on June 19, 2013. Ray grew up in Yorkton attending St. Alphonsus Elementary School and Yorkton Regional High School. At an early age he worked at a goat cheese operation in Jedburgh, SK. Following that he held various jobs including roofer and milkman before taking a Meat Cutting Course at SIAST in Saskatoon. He worked as a meat cutter assistant at the Gateway Co-op in Canora before beginning a 20 year career with Harvest Meats in Yorkton. On December 4, 1999 Ray married Pamilla Read (Shirley). Together with their sons Michael and Brian they moved to their acreage near Otthon. Here they created a welcoming meeting place for friends and family, and Ray undertook a major expansion of the original farm house. Ray was innovative and possessed a unique set of skills. He was infinitely curious. If anything needed fixing, Ray could fix it. He thought nothing of pulling apart an engine, repairing it, and reassembling it. He was a true artisan; from the life-size wolf head, to the 16 ft totem pole that he carved, Ray's fifty plus woodcarvings will always be admired and treasured. Annual camping trips with Pam and her family were cherished moments. They fished and hiked, and Pam and her sister Lisa would attempt to swim across the lake. Ray often brought along the cedar strip canoe that he built. He loved to get together with his brother Emil, and brothers- in-laws, Calvin and Daryl for ATV trips where they explored the backwoods and enjoyed nature, videotaping every step of the way. Ray would edit and splice together a DVD complete with music. He was a good cook; camp breakfast was his specialty. Ray also had a passion for the blues. Playing his harmonica gave him a sense of peace and accomplishment. He would take little breaks from work or carving and play a few tunes. He and his brother Emil shared many freestyle jamming sessions together. To everyone's enjoyment Ray would often share his harmonica talents with co-workers, friends, and family. His son, Brian credits Ray for nurturing his own love of guitar playing and songwriting. Ray will be deeply missed by all friends and co-workers whose lives he touched. Ray was predeceased by his parents, Matthew and Frances (Polegi) Schmuck. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Pam; his sons Brian and Michael; his brothers, Emil and Basil of Regina; his sisters Val (Daryl) Minter of La Ronge, Kathy (Erwin) Rosenkranz of Regina, Geri (Calvin) Radford of Prince Albert; his cousin, Doug Lock of Chilliwack, BC; his in-laws, Kathy and Dave Rathgeber, Dale and Marlene Shirley; his brothers-in-law, Jason (Paula) Shirley of Savanna, AB, Sheldon Shirley of Lethbridge, AB; sisters-in-law, Lisa (Bart Brissaw) Shirley of Saskatoon, Dana (Mark) Heshka of Lethbridge, AB, and Kerri Rathgeber of Otthon; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service in Celebration for Ray was held on Monday, June 24, 2013 from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, B.Th., Certified Celebrant officiating. A family tribute and words of remembrance were given by cousin, Doug Lock and brother, Basil Schmuck read "My Morning Coffee". Special music was "Smile" written and performed by Brian Read, "I Miss My Friend" written and performed by Steve Gibson and Inge Dombowsky sang a solo. The reflection song was Spirit of God. Interment followed in the family plot in the Garden of St. Luke at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Ray's sons Michael and Brian serving as the urn bearers. Memorials in memory of Ray may be made towards the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation for Habitat Trust 9 Lancaster Rd. Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1M8 as gifts of remembrance. Condolences can be forwarded to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Sunday, June 23rd, 2013 7:00pm Details: Service Extra Info Visitation will continue from 7:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. Monday, June 24th, 2013 2:00pm Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens