Raymond Hansen

Ray Hansen aka “Ray Handsome” passed away peacefully in Gibsons on October.16, 2024 with family at his side. He was born in Saskatchewan outside of Instow in 1932 and was the eldest of three boys to Clarence Hansen & Hattie (Erickson). He is survived by his brothers Bob Hansen (Carol Ann) and Gord Hansen (Janeen) Nieces and Nephews Alan Hansen (Michelle) Ina (Brent Holman) Patricia (James Wright) Peggy (Victor Ross) Katrina (Jim McCullam) Kenneth Hansen and (Shiela).

Ray met and married the love of his life, Aileen in 1955 and they had three children, twins Blaine and Barry, and daughter Brenda. He tragically lost both his sons at age 17 & 26. He is survived by daughter Brenda Bennett, and grand-daughters Korie Kessel (Mike) & Nicole Bennett (Mike) and great grand children, Braeden Kessel, Ethan Bennett, and Owen Bennett.

Ray was a member of the Princess Patricia Infantry of Paratroopers in his youth, and remembers fondly jumping out of planes, with his pack. He grew up on a farm, and during his younger years he helped with cattle, branding, growing grain, and traveling around by horse. He was a real-life cowboy. He left the prairies for Alberta in 1959, and later moved to Maple Ridge where he raised his three children, in the Dewdney Trunk area.

Ray & Aileen moved from Maple Ridge to the Sunshine Coast in the late 1970’s. After driving across Canada for years as a long-haul truck driver, Ray started his own trucking company on the coast helping build many new roads, subdivisions, rock walls, and highways. Ray and Aileen enjoyed golf and loved to spend time at their cabin or on their boat traveling around Desolation Sound, and the Sunshine Coast. After they retired, they bought a place in Indio California, where they played shuffleboard, & golf and enjoyed the warm winters down south. At happy hour they would drive their golf cart all around the park, to visit with their many friends. Ray also won many championships for Shuffleboard in the Desert, and considered all the grounds staff his friends.

Rays love for crib was present for as long as he could still hold his cards to play. When his grandkids would visit, they knew their was a $2.00 bet per game, and at least three games to play.

Ray enjoyed fishing trips with his friends and nephew Alan, and had many stories and pictures of the huge fish they would catch. After his wife Aileen passed away of cancer, he spent time volunteering at the senior centre in Sechelt and drove bus loads of seniors to casinos in the lower mainland. He also spent time fixing & selling boats with his friend Gary, as well as a fishing charter business where he took tourists out on fishing adventures.

We are now without the captain, father, friend, and gramps. We are left to remember his generosity towards others, lifelong friendships, and his comical sayings. He is now with his twin sons and wife Aileen probably fishing on the boat, playing cards, and listening to Willie Nelson or Frank Sinatra.

The family would like to thank the amazing friends that he had until his last days as they would call, visit, or play crib with him. We would also like to thank the staff at Christianson Village Care Home, especially his nurse in his final hours, Richard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to the Royal Canadian Marine Search & Rescue Unit 61 (Pender Harbour).

A celebration of life will be held on November.16, 2024 at the Pender Harbour Community Hall from 1-4pm. All are welcome.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Hansen, please visit our floral store.