RAYMOND FRANK AMMETER (RAY)

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RAYMOND FRANK AMMETER
December 14, 1938 - January 13, 2022

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Raymond Frank Ammeter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, after a brief illness at the Grace General Hospital at age 83.
Ray is survived by his wife Jean (née Keith) of 60 years; children, Shelley (Doug), Maureen (Tony), and Tim; grandchildren, Andrew, Morgan, Tyler, and Megan; brothers, Harry (Bev) and Leander (Elaine); sister-in-law Sheila; cousins, Rudy (Sandra) and Arnie; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins on both sides of the family.
Ray was predeceased by his parents, Fritz and Hulda; brother Paul; daughter-in-law Sandra; brothers and sisters-in-law, Alice/Alex, Lester/Eileen, Kathleen/Edwin (Red), Doreen, Bob, and Neil.
Raymond was born in Starbuck, Manitoba and was the youngest of the four boys of Fritz and Hulda Ammeter. He spoke only Swiss German in his early years growing up on the farm. He attended school in Starbuck where he enjoyed playing baseball and football in high school. Ray was proud of the family's Swiss heritage and enjoyed helping Jean with the Ammeter genealogy.
In his early years, Ray worked on the farm milking cows and doing other chores. He later started working on his uncle's farm in Headingley. He enjoyed the harvest and continued seasonally helping his cousins, Rudy (Sandra) and Arnie up until a few years ago.
Ray lived his entire married life in Headingley. He worked in fuel delivery in the area and had epic recall of the routes he took and the people he met. For many years he worked as a mechanic, first at Keough's Garage, then at Direct Auto. He was always interested in new vehicles but not so keen on the number of computer parts they had! He enjoyed working on equipment as there were always garden tractors and snow blowers to keep running and wood to cut for the furnace.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially hockey. He followed the NHL and the Winnipeg Jets very closely. Card games, especially cribbage, were always popular, and he enjoyed banter with friends and family.
Ray was an avid reader with an extensive vocabulary. He enjoyed completing the daily crossword puzzle and keeping up with current world events. He enjoyed watching movies, particularly westerns and historical themes, and seemed to recall the plots of all of them. Ray had a fondness for his pet dogs and cats and enjoyed feeding the wild birds daily. He always looked forward to spring which brought the arrival of a new flock of chickens and geese and planting the garden. He and his brother Leander continued the Ammeter tradition of beekeeping.
Ray enjoyed a drive in his truck, either simply to check out the crops or to drive all across Manitoba with Jean to document the history of cemeteries. There were also drives across Canada and many camping adventures. Later, Ray dealt with his diagnosis of MS by continuing to enjoy the outdoors as much as he could as well as outings and visits with family and friends.
Many thanks are extended to Dr. Stephen Coyle and the First Responders of the Headingley Fire Department for the excellent care provided. With much gratitude we thank the countless family and friends who visited, called, sent cards, messages, or food. Your support has been invaluable.
For those wishing to honour Ray's memory, donations can be made to the Headingley Community Foundation, 5353 Portage Ave., Headingley, MB R4H 1J9, The MS Society of Canada, https://mssociety.ca/ or your local animal shelter.
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when we can all gather. Ray's family kindly requests that his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by visiting his tribute page at EthicalDeathCare.com. Memories and stories published by those who knew him are available there.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE
Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations
204-421-5501 – EthicalDeathCare.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 12, 2022