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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Raymond Gabana of Trail, BC. He died at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, BC on December 13, 2013, peacefully with loved ones by his side after a challenging battle with a rare muscle disease. He was 71 years of age. He is loved and missed by his wife of 46 years, Anna, daughter Cori Gabana and husband Jamie Fitzgerald of Burnaby, daughter Kim Romano and husband Adam Romano of Kelowna, and beloved dog Trixie. Nonno Ray will also be missed by his three grandchildren, Hannah Romano, Jacob and Benjamin Fitzgerald. As well, he is survived by brother Norman Gabana (Gail Konkin), sister-in-law Maxine Gabana, brother-in-law Roland Guasparini (Judy Rezanson), mother-in-law Elena Guasparini, and many very close nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents Mary and Tony Gabana, brother Joe Gabana, father-in-law Guiseppe Guasparini, infant grandson Tyler Fitzgerald, sister-in-law Dorothy Gabana, and niece Karen Gabana.

Ray was born and raised in Trail. He completed a welding certificate at BCIT at the age of 18, then worked at Cominco for 37 years until retirement in 1998. He had a unique gift and love for welding, and held 13 certified first class welding tickets. He was highly respected as a Welding Foreman, and later as Supervisor, Specialty Metals, Silver Refinery. He passed on his welding expertise as a night school welding instructor. As well, he was appointed and served on the Provincial Trades Advisory Committee for many years.

He designed and built a summer home at Christina Lake in 1971, and a family home in Glenmerry in 1974 which continue to be enjoyed by his family. He was very proud to follow his daughters’ achievements over the years. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying fishing, hunting, and trap shooting. Other favoured hobbies included sausage making, cooking his famous deer stew, baking fruitcakes, shortbread and chambelles, and most of all playing with his grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Parish (formerly OLPH) on 3rd Avenue in Trail on Saturday, December 21st at 11am with Father Jim McHugh, Celebrant.

Bill Clark of Alternative Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made in Ray’s memory to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Health Foundation, 1200 Hospital Bench Road, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s on-line register at www.myalternatives.ca



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