Raymond Arthur Trowell (21 Feb 1931 - 1 Apr 2020)

To Be Read At Dads Funeral by Vicar Paul Waters.

Reflections of Ray’s Life
I did not have the pleasure of meeting Ray but when I spoke with Carol, she shared with me these memories of Ray. As I read them out, they will no doubt trigger off your memories that you have of Ray.

Ray was born in Littleover on 21st February 1931 and had two sisters Silve and Hazel. He spent the rest of his childhood in Alvaston. His parents were Arthur who was a Carpenter/Cabinet Maker and Mother Ivy, they owned a Sweet Shop on London Road, and a Sweet Stall in Derby Market Hall. Ray had a very happy childhood. Like most young men of his generation Ray had to do his National Service which he did not enjoy, but agreed it taught him some great life skills, his generation just got on with things.

When Ray left school, he followed his father’s footsteps and became a Carpenter, Ray often said how blessed he was to find something that he enjoyed and it became his profession. He remarked “I never felt I was at work” Ray eventually owned his own business and had his workshop at Darley Abbey. Ray was highly respected in his trade and due to his skills, acquired many subcontractor projects in exhibition work, for Rolls Royce and Bombardier.

Ray aspirations as a young man were quite humble, he told his daughter Carol, I hoped to get married one day and have a couple of children and be happy. He met Aileen, Julie & Carols Mother at the Old Assembly Rooms in Derby where they both shared a passion & expertise in ballroom dancing. They married in 1956. As a result of an horrific car accident in 1960s they sadly began to grow apart and in 1973 and decided to follow a different path in life.

Ray loved playing Tennis, representing Derbyshire in his younger years, he was a Member of the Eratics Tennis Club. It was through Tennis that he met Sally his beloved wife. Ray married Sally in 1976. They bought a home in Etwall Village. Both loved the Coastal Landscape, so bought a Cottage for regular very happy holidays in Norfolk. They had a very full happy life together of 44 years. Sadly, due to failing health, Ray became Sallys full-time carer which he did with passion and commitment, with never one complaint. Sally had to be admitted to a care home, which Ray had great difficulty accepting, that he could no longer look after Sally alone, which in turn made him very emotional with regret. Ray continued to visit Sally every day, he found solace in helping the other Residents with Newspapers, Fruit, or just a chat, anything he could do to help them was just as important to him. Even when the Care Home was not admitting visitors, Ray still went up to say ‘hello’ to Sally through the window, he was greatly respected and liked by all Staff and Residents of the home.

Ray was an intelligent man with great empathy for all, he was of a generation who worked hard and saved his money (as he put it for a rainy day) Ray was always smartly dressed to the end, and neighbours remarked they would smile when they saw him on his his daily routine to collect his paper from the local shop and daily visit to Birds Confectionery, they all thought what a lovely gentleman he was, with a morning hello to everyone. Ray never complained in fact he often reflected on how very fortunate he had been in his life, whatever live threw at him, he just got on with it (saying it is what it is) Ray leaves you all many special memories and these memories will always remain with you very much alive in your hearts. He lived a long life achieving his early dreams of being married and having his two children, who loved and adored him with all their hearts, he was a very proud Grandfather and Great Grandfather, he achieved so much more than he could ever of imagined. Ray was loved beyond words by all his family & respected and liked by all who knew him.

In the bible reading that was chosen there is that promise that death is not the end for Ray but a new beginning. Ray will be sharing in that New Life that Jesus promises. That promise goes for us all. We are all God’s children who are going through the journey of life and when we reach the end of our journey, we shall be able to share with Ray and with all those who have gone before us.