L. Ray Waller Obituary
With heavy hearts, the family of Ray Waller is sad to announce that he passed away peacefully at age 85 on September 17 at Cedarcroft Place, Stratford.
Born in Halifax, N.S., November 12, 1929, son of Jean and Edward Waller, Halifax. Predeceased by brother Donald and sister Helen, both of Halifax. Beloved husband of Margaret Waller for 60 years. Loving father of Jacquelyn Waller-Vintar, Toronto, Heidi Holdsworth, Stratford, Edward Waller and his wife Sandra Brown, Lewiston, NY, and Juli Waller, Stratford. Loving “grandpa guy” to Tessa, Graydon and Luka; Jay and Paige; Madeleine and Ashley; and Nicolas and Kevan.
He was a serious student who worked to pay his own way through school, graduating with both a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Journalism from St. Mary's University, Halifax, 1953. He then served his ROTC at Gimli MB where he was navigator on Dakotas and Expeditors. He then worked briefly for American Airlines before he entered Dalhousie University Law School, Halifax, in 1956. He graduated and was called to the Bar N.S. in 1959. Went to work in Toronto and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1962.
He, Margaret and baby Jackie arrived in Stratford the winter of 1960/61 and he worked at the British Mortgage & Trust until the fall of 1961 and then resigned and opened a law practice in the City of Stratford, January 1, 1962 and maintained that solo practice until 2010.
In the 1960s they welcomed Heidi, Eddie and Juli to the family. Ray sat on the Board of the Victorian Order of Nurses and was chairman for several terms. He chaired the Stratford Intrafraternal Secretariat, a union of fraternal organizations including the Moose, the Oddfellows, the Knights of Columbus and the Masons. He was also a member of the City's Industrial Commission for some years and sat on the City's Parks Board.
He first ran for alderman, unsuccessfully, in 1963, then ran again in 1965, successfully, and after four years as an alderman, continued to be elected to public office as a Public Utilities Commissioner until 1999—34 years in total. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Stratford General Hospital for 20 years, as an area director of the Ontario Golf Association for 15 years, Chairman of the Area Committee of Ontario Legal Aid for 30 years, and a Deputy Provincial Court Judge for 30 years.
Ray was an avid golfer and curler at the Stratford Country Club. He was master of the barbeque at home, and the four kids remember family road trips to the East Coast every summer, Saturday morning early swims at Shakespeare Pond and KFC on the Island after Mass at St. Joe's on Sundays. He was a great storyteller, and could tell a joke like nobody's business. He could be depended upon to always slip his kids a $20 on the sly when they were heading back to university after a weekend at home. He loved Big Band music, jazz, apple pie with a slice of Cheddar, and a good cigar, not necessarily together. We will remember him as a doting, caring and devoted husband, dad and grandfather, and a man who gave generously of his time for his public service to Stratford and its citizens.
Friends, family and colleagues may call at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Sept 22 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.. The funeral service will be held at W.G. Young Funeral Home on Monday September 22 at 11:00 am. A reception and lunch will follow. As expressions of sympathy, please make a donation to Stratford General Hospital Foundation or Autism Ontario Huron Perth Chapter.