Gordon Ray passed away peacefully in St Catharines Ontario on December 6, 2025 at age 81.
Gordon was a charming, witty, kind, and engaging character. At any dinner party he was always the one you wanted to sit beside as he was guaranteed to keep you entertained. Gordon had exceptional taste and style with fabulous interior design talent and he so enjoyed his various homes, lovely objects, and his large art collection. He loved to downhill ski with grace and passion. He was a fabulous dancing partner and a great swimmer.
Gordon and his wife Catherine Novick enjoyed travelling the world, discovering museums and galleries and interesting destinations. Often with dear friends Marvin and Carol Lange. In addition to Toronto, they lived briefly in Dublin Ireland, and in London England, finally residing in Old Town Niagara On The Lake.
Mostly Gordon loved the north country and in particular his home in Port Carling, Ontario. One of his favourite pastimes there was tending to the flowers on the bridge between Lake Muskoka and Lake Rosseau.
Gordon was born in Timmins in Northern Ontario and the family travelled a lot as his father Gladstone Ray ran surface operations for several different mines. This no doubt started his lifelong interest in gold and gemstones.
Gordon had a long career with Birks Jewellers in both Regina and Toronto. His stores were always well displayed, and in particular he distinguished himself one year with small chicks for Easter. Unfortunately, the chicks escaped and had to be corralled which Gordon did with great skill and his ever present sense of humour. Following his career at Birks, he was most proud of his business success as a proprietor of Mastermark Pewter, his chain of pewter giftware retail stores in Toronto.
Aside from his rich and varied life, his greatest joy was his family – his wife, Catherine Novick, his daughter, Leslie, and his grandson, Dylan.
Gordon will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. He was a wonderful character and above all a terrific gentleman.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Timothy Bastedo, the caring palliative care nurses and the kind staff at Royal Henley Retirement Residence in St Catharines. Gordon’s wish was for a private interment and no service. In lieu of flowers, donations to Niagara-on-the-Lake Palliative Care or Radiant Care Retirement Home in Virgil would be most appreciated. Both organizations offer terrific community support which Gordon very much believed in.
Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.morganfuneral.com
