November 16, 1932 - October 16, 2024
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, the eldest of three boys to Clarence Hansen and Hattie (Erickson). He is survived by his brothers Bob Hansen and Gord (Janeen) Hansen; daughter Brenda Bennett; granddaughters Korie (Mike) Kessel and Nicole (Mike) Bennett; great-grandchildren Braeden Kessel, Ethan and Owen Bennett; nieces and nephews Alan (Michelle) Hansen, Ina (Brent) Holman, Patricia (James) Wright, Peggy (Victor) Ross, Katrina McCullam, and Kenneth (Shiela) Hansen.
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 ages 17 and 26.
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 travelling 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 and Aileen moved from Maple Ridge to the Sunshine Coast in the late 1970s. 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, travelling around Desolation Sound and the Sunshine Coast. After they retired, they bought a place in Indio, California, where they played shuffleboard and 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.
Ray's love for crib was present for as long as he could still hold his cards to play. When his grandkids would visit, they knew there 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 busloads of seniors to casinos in the lower mainland. He also spent time fixing and 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 and 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.
