It is with great sadness the family of Rudolph “Raymond” Padar announces his passing. He entered his eternal rest peacefully at home with Sandra, his children and grandchildren at his side on Saturday, September 16, 2017.

Ray was a loving, compassionate, strong, vibrant man whose passing has left a huge void in the lives of his family and friends. He was always ready to help or just be a friend to anyone in need. He loved to meet new people and had the gift of conversing freely with everyone. Ray’s sense of humour was well known. He would get that glint in his eye, wink and smile that little crooked smile, and you knew he was up to something.

Ray’s sense of family ran very deep. They always came first, and he did whatever he needed to do to ensure they were loved and cared for. When he was your friend, it was for life. Ray was a man of his word, and you always knew where you stood with him.

Ray’s journey through life was much too short, but he lived, loved, laughed and left us all with many happy memories.

Ray was born Saturday, August 11, 1956, at St. Peter’s Hospital to Rudolph and Annie (Muzyka) Padar. He was raised on the farm by Waldron, where he had the opportunity to learn about love, family, hard work and commitment from his parents. Many stories have been told over the years of all the trouble he used to get into, most of it caused by his stubbornness and pride. Teasing his sister Myrna seemed to be his favourite pastime; chasing her with baby mice was always guaranteed to make her run.

Ray’s first job was at the age of 14 helping to build the road past the farm. He graduated high school in 1974 and worked for the City of Melville until later that year when he hired on the CNR as an operator/station agent. This job took him to many small communities across eastern Saskatchewan, relieving agents in CN stations, sometimes only for a day or two. He talked often of living in the old stations and getting to know the people in the communities where he stayed. A few of these people remained lifelong friends. In the spring of 1975, he was transferred to Hudson Bay, where on May 7, 1975, he met his “sweetheart”, Sandra. In the fall of 1977, he transferred home to Melville to the CNR carshops, where he remained until his retirement in 2011.

Ray and Sandra were married October 6, 1979. They lived a happy, full life together, a life filled with many happy times, family, children, grandchildren, friends and just being with each other for almost 38 years. They were blessed with two sons, Rudolph Raymond Ryan in September 1982 and Reece Matthew in January 1984. His sons were, as he said, “my greatest accomplishment in life”. Memories were made with the boys, whether at home, the farm, or any adventure they had together. They always knew they could come to him for anything. He taught them that the only thing you need in this life is family. Ray was blessed with two “daughters” - Trisha, who gave so much of herself to help and support him, especially over the last few months. She always made sure the grandsons were there when Papa needed them; he loved her dearly. Kristen, whose time with Ray was not great in length, but she knew he cared for her, and a special bond formed between them. His grandsons, Zach, Zane and Zander Padar, were the light in Papa’s eyes. They had a very special place in his heart, and it broke when he had to leave them so soon. He loved them fiercely and hoped the memories he made with them would be enough.

Farming was Ray’s passion; he loved harvest time the best. Driving around the countryside checking crops and visiting with neighbours always made him happy. Often when he was late coming home, Sandra knew that he had headed a half mile north of the farm to visit his cousin, Dave, “to discuss life”. The two of them have spent many happy hours together, and they were more like brothers than cousins.

In September 2015, Ray was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. He fought so very hard , but God had other plans. His last wish was to stay at home surrounded by family and friends.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Sandra (Stimpson), his sons, Ryan (Kristen) and Reece (Trisha) and their children, Zach, Zane and Zander; his mother, Ann Padar; his sister, Myrna Lang and her children, Michael and Stephanie (Troy); his mother-in-law, Jean Stimpson; sisters-in-law, Peggy (Marlon) Klassen, Janice (Brian) Ackerman and Sharon (Gary) Szatkowski, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his father, Rudolph Padar, father-in-law, Lloyd Stimpson, grandparents, Kalman and Emma Padar and Steve and Lucy Muzyka, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ray, our love for you will last forever, and you are forever in our hearts.