Obituary of Raymond Thomas Mitchell

Raymond Mitchell Raymond was born in North Battleford on February 2, 1932, spending his early years in Quill Lake, and then moving to Big River area where he grew up. He married Doris Johnson in 1954, his loving wife of 55 years, and they had five children: Steven, Laurie, Christine, Carol, and Julie. Raymond was involved in lumber and wood working industry throughout his life, including working in bush camps as a youth. He was an excellent lumber grader and during his career became a lumber grading supervisor for a brief period, travelling throughout western Canada and the United States. He also ran two successful small businesses: built fish boxes for his customer Waites Fisheries, and started Sask-Can Wood Specialties making lumber yard building supplies. He developed carpentry skills that he used throughout his life transforming small “fixer-uppers” into large, creative, comfortable houses. He had a knack for seeing the value in what others threw away, restoring various items into beautiful, functional products. Many discarded pieces of furniture found renewed purpose in his hands. Raymond considered it an accomplishment that at age 50 he became the top tree planter in his first year of tree planting, inspiring younger planters to increase their output. Raymond was a creative individual with interests in photography, painting, wood carving, and wood crafts. He wrote poetry most of his adult life and recently he began to write and sing songs, surprising his family with a new creative endeavour. Raymond was a remarkable man who was supportive of his family, and will be missed dearly by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family members, and friends. Ray leaves to mourn his passing: His children: Steven (Yvonne) Mitchell of Caronport, SK and family: Aimee Orton (Chris) and daughter, Emma; Yvette Mitchell; Stephanie Mitchell: Laurie (Mark) Oldfield of Big River, SK and family: Gavin (Samaya) Millikin, Lyndsey (Cassie) Millikin: Christine Mitchell of Saskatoon, SK and family: Jason (Terri) Bell and children, Danika & Gabriael, Melissa Bell, Caleb Mitchell: Carol Mitchell of Meadow Lake, SK and her daughter: Leila Mitchell: Julie Mitchell of Regina, SK, His brother-in-law, Alan (Lynne) Johnson of Napean, ON, His sister-in-law, Mary Johnson of Big River, SK, numerous nephews and nieces and friends. Raymond is predeceased by: His loving wife, Doris Mitchell—June 26, 2010, His parents, Bertram and Elizabeth “Annie” Mitchell, His brothers, Kenneth, Les, Gordon and Robert, His sisters, Lillian Galbraith, Gertrude Anderson and Dorothy “Dot” Wingerter. The Memorial Service for Raymond was held on Saturday, the 24th of January, 2015 at the Evangelical Free Church in Big River, SK. Memorial Donations may be directed to the Saskatoon Children’s Hospital in Raymond’s Memory. Family and friends wishing to send private online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com The Mitchell Family has entrusted arrangements to Ed Beaulac and Lori Saam of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home, Big River, SK 306-469-2277