Raymond Wayne Docker

Age 77, passed away in Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, on Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Ray was born in Vancouver, B.C., to Elsie Docker and was raised by parents Mary and Thomas Docker in Nova Scotia. As a boy, Ray spent many summers on Big Island, Pictou Co. It was here Ray met the first love of his life, Patricia Baudoux. Ray was educated at Dalhousie University and the University of Saskatchewan. After earning his Master’s degree, Ray and his young wife, Patricia, pioneers in education, traveled to Canada’s North and opened the first school north of the Arctic Circle in Sachs Harbour on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories. This experience remained as one of the highlights of his career. Upon returning to Nova Scotia, Ray taught at several schools in Halifax County and worked as Principal at several schools in Nova Scotia. He also worked in administration, serving as Superintendent of Curriculum for the Pictou District School Board, ChignectoCentral School Board and for the Department of National Defence Schools in Europe. Near the end of his education career, Ray chose to return to the classroom and was happiest when teaching students. He was a lifelong educator, a great storyteller, and wellknown for passing on his wisdom in famous oneliners to everyone he knew. In the early 70’s, Ray and Patricia purchased a property on beautiful Pictou Island in the Northumberland Strait. They and their young sons, Thomas and Philip, spent every summer there, enjoying the pace of life and the solitude of island life, until Pat’s untimely death in 1987. Ray was a lucky man to have a second great love story in his life. He married Corinne Cameron in 1989 and became stepfather to Cameron and Allison. They took their blended family to Europe where they found adventure, culture, travel and a lasting family bond. After retirement, the Cameron Docker duo became full-time residents on their beloved Pictou Island. Ray’s first project was to build a barn and buy a tractor. He then built and equipped a practical workshop and proceeded to renovate the old farmhouse. It was a labour of love and the result is a testament to his talent and patience as an amateur builder. Over the years Ray spent many happy hours in his workshop, carving and woodworking and making beautiful toys for his precious grandchildren. Of all the roles Ray played in his life, his role as Grandpa Ray was his most cherished. His eight grandchildren were the center of his life. According to the grandchildren, and to their benefit, he was never very good at hiding his chocolate stash. Many cribbage and card games were played with the grandchildren and they often wondered why Grandpa was strategically both score keeper and game winner. Grandpa Ray loved watching football, curling, golf, and old Western movies, but his favourite viewing was watching his grandchildren playing hockey and basketball, both on TV and in person. Ray and Corinne spent many special winters enjoying the serenity of life on Pictou Island: reading, playing cards, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, woodworking, crafting, and watching sports and movies. Summers were the busy times, where Ray and Corinne hosted numerous friends and family with Ray cooking lobsters, shucking oysters, BBQing, and having the occasional grog. Life on Pictou Island was and is idyllic. It is a community of like-minded people who have in common their love of the island. Ray was a valuable contributor over the years to this community, notably, as President of the Pictou Island Community Association, Secretary for the Harbour Authority and as a volunteer Firefighter and First Responder for the Fire Department. Ray will be missed by family and friends alike. He is survived by his wife, Corinne Cameron; his sons, Thomas Bernard Docker (Rolanda Bernard Docker), Canmore, Alta; and Philip Docker (Hana Nelson), Big Island; his stepson, Cameron MacDonald (Danielle Collavino), London, England; his stepdaughter, Allison MacDonald (Lincoln Heller), Vancouver, B.C. Ray is also survived by his eight wonderful grandchildren: Jacob, Seth, Island, Cohen, Eli, Daphne, Fitch and Alaska. Stepbrother, Dave (Diane) Whelan, Coquitlam, B.C.; and stepsister, Sue (Don) Price, Maple Ridge, B, C. are also survivors. Surviving family members include sister-in-law, Jane (Lewis) MacKay, Dartmouth; many loving and supportive brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nephews and nephews. Ray was predeceased by sisters, Margaret (Rick) Zentner and Carol (Al) Hamilton. A celebration of Ray’s life will be held in New Glasgow in late January and a memorial/interment service will be held on Pictou Island during the summer. Announcements about these events will follow. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Feed Nova Scotia, or to a charity of your choice.