April 25, 2020
Ray passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on April 25, 2020, surrounded by family. He was born in Trail, BC to John and Evelyn (Rossi) Pavan, the youngest of three sons. When Ray was 1 year old the family moved up the North Fork to join the rest of the Rossi family and ranch. Ray left Grand Forks at 17 to attend the heavy-duty mechanic program at BCIT in Burnaby. His love for vehicles, and keeping meticulous care of them, was one of his life-long specialties.
Ray earned his heavy-duty mechanic trade, then moved back to Grand Forks and worked with a good friend, the late John Chernoff, at their mechanic garage. After this endeavour he went on to work with the Department of Highways across BC, where he completed his heavy-duty mechanic apprenticeship. Returning to Grand Forks he began working as a mechanic at the Phoenix Mine and for Gordon Clifton.
in 1970 he attended an Anzac Day party held at the nurse's residence in Grand Forks where he met his love of 50 years, Sheryl McNaughton, a young New Zealand nurse. They were married in September 1970. Together they struck out on a northern adventure to Whitehorse, where Sheryl nursed, and Ray was a heavy-duty mechanic at the Whitehorse Copper Mine. Returning home to Grand Forks in 1971, they settled down and in 1973 welcomed their first child, Karen. In 1975 they added to their family, welcoming Ross.
Ray prided himself in running a meticulous shop and was a heavy-duty mechanic with Pope & Talbot for much of his career, retiring in 2003 with 31 years of dedicated service. In retirement Ray and Sheryl spent countless hours at their cabin on the Granby. This was Ray's sanctuary, getting up to numerous projects with his brother Bruno, spending days each week ensuring every aspect of the cabin, yard, machines, and wood piles were well stocked, well-oiled, and working in perfect order. The cabin is one of the legacies that was very important to Ray.
Ray is predeceased by his parents, John & Evelyn Pavan, as well as by his older brother Riccardo Pavan. Ray is survived by is wife Sheryl, children Karen (Brent) Heric, Ross Pavan (Rae Haddow), grandchildren Sarah and Owen Heric, his brother Bruno (Phyllis) Pavan, and his sister-in-law Lori Pavan. Ray will also be sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. He requested that no service be held; his cremation was handled by Grand Forks Funeral Home.
Donations can be made in memory of Raymond Pavan to the: KBRH Health Foundation HART, 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail BC, V1R 4M1; or online at www.KBRH.ca or www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca.