Ray Pomeroy was born in Wellington, New Zealand on April 30, 1937. Born that day was a soul of great inquisitiveness. He spent his youth in Wellington conducting wild chemistry experiments, playing saxophone in the high school band and cultivating his lifelong love for jazz.
Upon graduating from the University of Wellington, Ray responded to an ad from the Canadian government recruiting teachers to British Columbia. In 1960, he boarded a ship and ended up in Trail, a small town in the East Kootenays. He taught grade six and for unknown reasons, the transplanted Kiwi who couldnât even skate coached a kidâs hockey team. A love for hockey was born.
While on a trip to Europe, Ray met his first wife. After living in Wales for a year with a newborn struggling to make a living, Ray felt the call of Canada again and settled in Creston for a period of 13 years. Never shying away from a challenge, he took on the drama department of Prince Charles Secondary School. He turned the drama department into a success; the plays he directed won many awards at adjudicated competitions throughout the province. More importantly, many young people from troubled backgrounds were forever changed by his efforts.
After leaving Creston in 1976, Ray went to work as a school counselor in Clearwater and Kamloops BC. His career in education culminated with his completing a doctoral thesis in child psychology and becoming school psychologist for the Greater Victoria School District for a period of 12 years.
After retiring, Ray remarried and moved to Florida. He spent his remaining years travelling to various parts of the world, cruising the Caribbean and returning to Victoria to visit family and friends.
Ray is survived by his wife Tina of 22 years; his three children, Mark, Susan and Hugh; and his four grandchildren, Matthew, Sayaka, Audrey and Justin James.
A unique and great spirit will be greatly missed.
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