Norman Wallace Rayner
‘Wally’
May 13, 1948 – October 5, 2022
Wally passed away suddenly in his sleep watching his favourite television show, Star Trek. Wally was born and brought up in Kenora.
Wally is survived by his wife of 52 years, Georgina, his daughters Marilyn and Karen(Paul), grandchildren Gordon, Eva and Alfred; his brothers Lyle(Velma), David(Lynn), Stewart(Diane) and his sister Dawn; brothers in law Howard, Tom(Connie), Robin(Jean), Stan(Nancy), Herman(Ellen) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Eva Rayner, his mother-in-law, Imba Phinney, his brother-in-law Michael and two nephews Murray and Shane.
Wally graduated from the University of Waterloo with an honours degree in earth sciences. He was a member of the APGO and OPA. He loved his profession and often said he loved his job so much that it felt like he never worked a day in his life. He loved exploration and looking for the next one. He said if a geologist is part of a team that find one mine in their life -that is success. He was part of five such successes.
Wally worked as a field geologist until he suffered a severe back injury, and he became a desk jockey as manager of mining lands for a number of companies. He served on many boards and committees associated with mining like PDAC, OPA,OGS, OEC,OMET, JEAP, APGO, Lake Nipigon Project and the Ministers Mining Act Advisory Committee.
As a community minded citizen, Wally coached house league and competitive hockey from the time the girls were 6 until they left for university. He also coached the Northern Secondary Girls hockey teams. He served on the board and did his best to keep the Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling Club going for years. He volunteered to cook at the CSIV weekend camps. He gave freely of his time whenever he could.
Wally loved his camp and fishing. He was happiest when he was tinkering on some project on the island.
Wally was the recipient of a number of awards over the years. As a humble man, he never spoke of them. Wally had very strong professional ethics.
The best part of each day was when the girls phoned. It made him feel that they weren’t so far away. He loved his grandchildren. He felt that you needed to “Hold Your Family Close”.
Wally loved a good joke and shaggy dog story. During Covid, he took to writing short stories about “Everyday Life”. The Bard of Martin Road has now officially signed off.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the summer of 2023.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com for the Rayner family.
Going Home
Played by Paul Geddes
Going home, going home,
I’m just going home.
Quiet
like, slip away
I’ll be going home.
It’s not far, just close by;
Jesus is the door;
Work all done, laid aside,
Fear and grief no more.
Friends are there, waiting now.
He is waiting, too.
See His smile! See his hand!
He will lead me through.
Morning Star lights the way;
Restless dream all done;
Shadows gone, break of day,
Life has just begun.
Every tear wiped away,
Pain and sickness gone;
Wide awake there with Him!
Peace goes on and on!
Going home, going home,
I’ll be going home.
See the Light! See the Sun!
I’m just going home.