Ray Atkinson

September 6, 1935 to August 29, 2019

Ray Atkinson - Surrounded by a loving family during a sudden decline, Ray Atkinson (83), formerly of Route 1 Atwood (originally from Bethesda), passed away peacefully at Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton on Thursday August 29, 2019. Beloved husband of Nellie (Zwier) Atkinson, who predeceased him in 1994, he is survived by his children Terry (Lynda), Kevin (Amy), Kerry and Samantha. Special papa of of Jordan (Judith), Mackenzie (Rachel), Aedan, Griffin (Denisa), Ciara, Maura and Quin. Ray will be great missed by his sister Ruth and her husband Jim (Masters), sister Leona (Van Der Kony) and sister-in-law Betty Atkinson. He is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Clarence and Luella (Fines) Atkinson, sister Helen Heise, brother Harold Atkinson and brother-in-law Peter Van Der Kooy. During most of his life, Ray worked on the farm at Bethesda, which had been in the Atkinson family for several generations. In midlife, he and Nellie moved their family to a farm at Atwood, where they settled into the community and spent happy years together working on the farm. During his long life, Ray enjoyed woodworking, making maple syrup and spending time with family and friends. He was very active in sports, in particular baseball and hockey - coaching both as his boys played in their youth. He loved a game of crokinole, which he continued to play up until the past year - defeating both young and old! Relatives and friends are invited to share their memories at Listowel Pentecostal Church, 5629 Perth County Line 86, Listowel, on Monday September 2, 2019 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. followed by the funeral service to celebrate Ray’s life at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Carruthers officiating. Interment in Elma Centre Cemetery, Atwood. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to: Knollcrest Lodge 50 William Street Milverton, ON N0K 1M0 or Listowel Memorial Hospital Foundation 255 Elizabeth Street East Listowel, ON N4W 2P5 would be appreciated by the family and can be arranged by calling the funeral home or returning to the Current Funerals page and clicking on the Make a Donation link. Please forward your cheque directly to the charity of choice at the above address.