HYLAND, Raymond John – It is with heavy hearts (and a few eye rolls) that we announce the passing of Ray at the remarkable age of 91 on July 26th, 2026. Born in St. Peter’s, he was the son of Raydar Erickson (that’s a story!) and Hilda Richard. While most people spend their years trying to avoid injury, Ray treated every day like a new opportunity to scrape, bruise, bang or otherwise test the limits of the human body. Despite countless cuts, bumps, falls, a smashed head and near misses, the man never lost any limbs. While his body may have looked like it had gone twelve rounds with a lawn mower, somehow, he just kept going. And just so everyone knows, despite all his injuries over the years, none of that was what took him out. Honestly, most of us figured he'd outlive us all just to prove a point.  

If there was something broken, Ray was going to fix it. Whether he actually could fix it was a different story, but that never stopped him from trying. His shed was his kingdom, a place where every screw and bolt had a purpose, and throwing anything away was considered a personal insult. 

He spent countless hours helping neighbours, friends, and family. If you needed your tires changed, Ray was already halfway down your driveway before you could finish asking. He probably changed more tires than some mechanics, and he usually did it while muttering that whoever designed your car was "an idiot." 

Before becoming everyone's favorite handyman (and occasional self-inflicted injury expert), Ray loved playing and watching baseball and hockey. He carried that competitive spirit throughout life, even if his biggest competition later became a stubborn lawnmower or a rusty bolt that refused to budge. 

His love language was Tim Hortons: a plain donut and a triple-triple. Gourmet coffee wasn't for Ray. If it didn't come in a paper cup with a donut that looked like it hadn't changed since 1972, he wasn't interested. 

Ray was also blessed to have a temper; actually, "had a temper" is putting it kindly. If patience were an Olympic sport, Ray would've been disqualified in the warm-up. He could go from perfectly happy to yelling at a lawnmower, a wrench, or the weather in about four seconds' flat. 

Ray leaves behind his ever-patient wife, Barbara of 64 years; two daughters, Theresa and Tammy; three grandchildren, Emma, Hannah and Jack; who knows what other family at this point (thanks to Raydar for having a bunch of kids no one knew about); friends, grateful neighbours, enough spare nuts and bolts to rebuild a small town, and a shed that nobody is allowed to clean because everyone is terrified he'll somehow come back just to yell at us for touching his tools. 

We're pretty sure Heaven heard him coming before he arrived. Saint Peter probably handed him a wrench, pointed toward a squeaky gate, and said, "We've been waiting for you." He's probably already reorganized the workshop, criticized the workmanship on the Pearly Gates, changed everyone's celestial tires, and asked where the nearest Tim Hortons is. 

We will miss his stubbornness, his determination, his wit and his uncanny ability to survive absolutely everything. In honour of Ray, please enjoy a plain donut, sip a triple-triple, smash your head with a hammer (accidentally, preferably), mutter a few choice words (ding dong, Evong!) and remember that something like old grudges and Tim Hortons coffee never go out of style. 

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Ettinger Funeral Homes, Shubenacadie and Elmsdale. A funeral service will be led by Deacon Dan Bowden on Friday, August 7, 11:00am at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, Enfield.

Donations in memory of Ray can be made to the Tim Hortons Foundation Children’s Camp.  

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Ray may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com 

Rest easy, Ray. 

P.S. Get all the dirt from nanny so you can fill us all in when we get there.