A resident of Kelowna since 2021, was taken by cancer, passing away on February 1, 2026, at Kelowna General Hospital.
Mourning his death are his wife of 43 years, Sheila Greer, and sons Owen and Hunter, along with his dog Maggie. Ray very much loved and was proud of his sons.
Born in New Brunswick, Ray grew up in Thistleton/Rexdale, in the greater Toronto area. Known for his sharp wit, great memory, leftist leanings and inability to suffer fools, Ray fulfilled his teenage aspiration and became a professional archaeologist (Ph.D. University of Toronto, Master’s from Memorial University of Newfoundland). He worked for the governments of Canada and Alberta and then went on to teach archaeology in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton for close to 30 years.
Raymond Joseph Le Blanc was a fieldwork person; he loved the boreal forest and Canada’s north and had the highest regard for the indigenous peoples of this part of our country, in particular the Gwitchin of Old Crow, Yukon. Ray was highly respected, if not deeply loved, by his colleagues at the university, the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Archaeological Survey of Alberta, as well as his graduate students. Many of the latter were like family.
Discussion and debate, along with good food, wine, and beer were always a part of family life with Ray, as were trips back to Ontario to visit family and friends residing in the homelands. In his retirement years, Ray and Sheila put on some significant travel miles, visiting various European countries along with Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, and India.
In addition to family and archaeology, the other big love of Ray’s life was motorcycles, specifically British classic bikes. He loved to ride, worked at restoring bikes, and at one point was even lobbying to have a restored vintage motorcycle as the living room centrepiece.
Ray was predeceased by his parents Victor Le Blanc and Jean Bowry Le Blanc (Canadian soldier and British war bride), as well as his siblings John and Elaine Le Blanc and his brother-in-law Bob Greer.
A Celebration of Life gathering to honour Ray will be held in Edmonton in the spring. Further details to be announced.
A Celebration of Life for Raymond Le Blanc (Ray’s Last Party) will be held in Edmonton, AB on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at 2:00 pm, at Yorath House in the Edmonton River Valley. Please come prepared to share a story or a laugh you shared with Ray. RSVP to Sheila (sheilacgreer17@gmail.com) if you plan on attending.
