Raymond Paul Irwin

It is with profound sadness and love that we announce the peaceful passing of Raymond Paul Irwin on October 24, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his loving family.

Ray leaves behind his beloved wife and soulmate, Kate Cammidge-Irwin, with whom he shared 21 wonderful years; his sons, Paul Irwin (Amanda) and Bryan Irwin; and his step-daughters, Jayne Ingram-Roberts (Ian) and Nicole Camden (Glen), whom he loved and embraced as his own. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Henry and Greyson, sons of Paul and Amanda, and Taytum and Casey, children of Nicole and Glen. Ray is also survived by his sister Harriette, brothers Joe (Barb) and John, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and Herbert Irwin, and his older brother Bob.

Born in Oakville, Ontario, Ray grew up in Clarkson alongside his four siblings. He graduated from Ryerson, where he studied marketing, retail and business. His early career included working in retail and in the lumber industry before he discovered his true professional calling in television advertising sales.

After living in Toronto, Ray moved to Parry Sound in 1979 and then to Milford Bay in 1982. In 1981, he began what would become a long and successful career with CKCO-TV, managing the Central-Northern Ontario sales territory. His career eventually took him to Bracebridge and then to Kitchener in 1991, where he continued with CTV Southwestern Ontario until he retired in 2005. Ray was a natural salesman, known for his incredible work ethic, determination, creativity and exceptional customer service. Consistently among the company’s top Canadian salespeople, he earned the respect and friendship of colleagues and clients alike. Ray believed in getting things done, finding solutions and always going the extra mile. Those qualities remained part of who he was throughout his life.

But Ray’s greatest gift was his genuine interest in people. He had a selfless nature and a remarkable ability to make everyone feel valued, regardless of who they were or what they did. He saw the individual, and his warmth and sincerity often turned the simplest encounters into meaningful connections. Ray made friends wherever he went.

It was at CKCO-TV in 1994 that Ray met Kate. What began as a friendship between two colleagues grew into something truly extraordinary. After years of friendship, their relationship blossomed into a beautiful love story. Together for 21 years and married in 2009, Ray and Kate built a life filled with love, laughter, adventure and an unwavering devotion to one another. They were, in every sense of the word, soulmates.

Ray was a devoted father who loved taking his sons, Paul and Bryan, on family adventures when they were young, travelling extensively throughout the United States and creating memories that would last a lifetime. When Jayne and Nicole became part of his life, he embraced them wholeheartedly, becoming a true father to both. He loved and supported them as his own, building a bond of genuine love, respect and devotion that will never be broken. He was equally loved by all their spouses, Amanda, Ian and Glen, and took tremendous pride in the close family they shared. His four grandchildren brought him immense joy, and he treasured the time spent with each of them. The entire family spent a week together in Italy last summer, which they will all cherish forever.

When Ray and Kate moved to Southampton, Kate’s hometown, in 2011, Ray embraced another chapter in life. He became Kate’s unofficial “field manager” in her real estate business, although his responsibilities extended far beyond any job description. Whether preparing a property, tackling a repair, offering advice or simply being there whenever he was needed, Ray was always ready to lend a hand. He was Kate’s greatest supporter, trusted partner and constant companion.

Ray was a man who loved life and rarely sat still. An avid cyclist, kayaker and hiker, he enjoyed golf, and he also had a passion for classic cars and just about anything that kept him active and outdoors. He loved gardening, taking great pride in tending to his plants and creating beautiful outdoor spaces. Birdwatching was another special interest, and Ray enjoyed learning about the birds he encountered and keeping track of his sightings. Old Country Music was another of Ray’s great pleasures. Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash were among his favourites, and their timeless songs were part of the soundtrack of his life.

Ray and Kate shared a passion for travel, spending their winter vacations exploring different corners of the world. Earlier this year, Ray took his bird book with him when they travelled to Australia & New Zealand, eager to identify the birds they encountered. Seeing an albatross was a particular highlight and became one of the memorable moments of that special trip. Together, they experienced new cultures, discovered beautiful places and created a lifetime of unforgettable memories. But wherever their adventures took them, the greatest joy was simply being together.

Gifted with his hands and an inventive mind, Ray was an exceptionally talented carpenter and handyman who could build, repair or improve almost anything. He had a remarkable ability to think outside the box, often finding creative solutions where others saw obstacles. Ray was also creative in many other ways and loved to cook, taking pleasure in preparing meals and sharing them with the people he loved. There was very little Ray couldn’t figure out, and he took great pride in doing things well.

Ray faced a long and courageous battle with stage-four thyroid cancer, first diagnosed 12 years ago. He underwent two surgeries, along with radiation and cancer treatments, facing each challenge with extraordinary determination and resilience. Despite everything he endured, Ray remained committed to living life fully, enjoying his passions and making the most of every day. This summer, the cancer began to take a greater toll, and his health declined rapidly in the fall.

Kate and the family wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Winquist of London Health Sciences Centre for his exceptional care, compassion and dedication to Ray over the past decade. His guidance and unwavering commitment throughout Ray’s cancer journey meant so much to Ray.

Above all, Ray will be remembered for his kindness, selflessness, boundless energy, determination, generosity and genuine interest in others. He was a man who showed his love through his actions, who could always be counted on and who made the lives of those around him better simply by being part of them.

For Kate, Ray was far more than a husband. He was her best friend, her partner in every adventure, her greatest love and her soulmate. Their 21 years together were a beautiful love story, built on friendship, respect, laughter and a love that will endure forever. Ray lived life fully, loved deeply and leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will be treasured by all who knew and loved him.

In honour of his passion for the environment, his final arrangements will be carried out through aquamation, a more environmentally conscious alternative to traditional cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Saugeen Shores Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at the Walker House on Saturday, November 14, from 12 noon – 4 p.m. with words of remembrance at 2 p.m.