Hard to believe it has already been four years. Ray would be happy to know that “Mip” is finally doing well and things have fallen into place. I often think of him and of the times we visited and especially when he brought us to see Phantom! He was a great and extremely knowledgeable man and we miss him. I know he is smiling as he is watching over his loved ones.

I worked with Ray from 1985-86 when he was House Manager at Chichester Festival Theatre. Ray was great fun, full of mischief yet the ultimate professional. He could never be described as a luvvy but he clearly loved the theatre and he made CFT a great place to work for my usheretting friends and I. After he left CFT he very kindly invited a few of us to a dress rehearsal performance of Phantom. We were so excited and felt so privileged to be asked. And soon after that the and Gertrude invited us to London for a CFT FOH reunion. Much fun was had by all. Chichester was never the same without Ray and we were all very saddened to hear of his passing. A truly lovely man. Clare x

Three years ago today! I can't believe it. It's been a long rocky road for Mother dealing with the ongoing drama of Spanish bureaucracy, lawyer-crooks, liars, thieves, and scammers, to mention nothing of the stagnant housing market. I wish it wouldn't have happened the way it did! But hopefully you are happy wherever you are! xxx

Ray always made me happy. When I visited him in England and Spain, it was always a memorable, experience. He was a gracious host and very kind - a person you just enjoyed being around...

Remembering Ray with love and happy memories on this day the first anniversary of his passing, we miss him so much. Also our thoughts are very much with Gertrud. XX

I'm so very sorry to find this page. I had googled Ray as I wanted to let him know that the Plymouth house has continued with a theatrical link via our middle son (who was the youngest & only a baby when Ray saw him). We met Ray only briefly but remember him as a kind man who welcomed us into his home as we bought the house. It felt like a passing on of homes, rather than a business transaction.

Our thoughts are with Gertrud and family. I hope the years in Spain were happy ones.

It is hard to believe you are not in this world Ray but your warmth and kindness will always remain..I have so many happy memories spending time with you and Gertrude and the lovely walks we had together including Gertrude's mum.. Ray was a gentleman in every way. Blessings.

From climbing rocks in Central Park NYC, sipping tea in Plymouth and feeding the cats in Quesada, Ray has shared his knowledge & love of theatre with me for as long as I can remember. I will sincerely cherish all memories of such a talented, caring and humble man. May he rest in peace.

Love,
Sabrina & Thibaut

I knew Ray for around 35 years and saw the pleasure he gave to so many others around him.Thank you for the good times and may you rest in peace.

Sadly missed, but always remembered. You always had a smile on your face. You loved people, life, music, filming... We will always remember the times we spent together in Canada, England and Spain. You made us beautiful CD's - the last one was of Werner walking in the wet sand, leaving his footprints. You added beautiful music, "The Last Goodbye." This time, we say our last goodbye. We will always remember you.

-Werner & Margot

It is so sad to lose someone so dear. Ray was a great grandpa … Andrew and I miss him so much. Ray bought Andrew a Spanish Renfe model train, which both of them were crazy about. Big boys, small boys! The train is now much more than a toy. It is a memory.

Marina and Andrew Wilkins

It was such a privilege to have known Ray both as a colleague and as a friend. His love of teaching and of sharing knowledge with his students was an infectious element in his professional work as was his great sense of humour. Meeting Ray at a professional level was always a joy with his beaming smile, ready wit and encouraging word. I had the joy of sharing, in particular, a number of 'comparative education' trips and remember Ray 'holding court' on many a coach ride as he retailed to a ready audience a great fund of experiences from his previous 'lives'.
A greatly missed character who shared his love of life with so many, thank you Ray. Stuart

I have just heard the very sad news about Ray and wanted to say that I have great memories of him, first as a mature student and then as a much loved and much respected colleague at the University of Plymouth. We shared a lot of ideas and laughs together and he was so kind, with Gertrud, to give me shelter on dark, rainy nights in Plymouth. He was a lovely, humane and caring human being.

Ray - a lovely gentle guy, who I shared happy times with teaching during the 90's. I loved the way that Ray brought many of his ideas from the theatre and performance as a means of bringing teaching and learning to life. His fascination for and engagement with the work of Freire and Boal provided inspiration for the many students that he worked with during this time. I have many fond memories of a good man.

Dearest Ray a lovely man who I knew since I was a child. RIP.
Gertrud I hope you are ok I think of you a lot and especially now. You were like my other Mother!! lots of love Dainee xxxx

Such happy memories ' the Packham family' have of our time at Chichester Festival Theatre under the guidance of Ray. You will be truly missed. Gone but not forgotten, RIP Ray, love to Gertrud and family, from us all xxx

What a sad loss for family and friends and the so many of us that were nurtured and developed by Ray over the years. Working for him at Chichester Festival Theatre were some of the happiest of my life. We all adored him and he will be very missed

Ray worked with and knew scores of comic actors,writers,comedians. But his special home grown comedy and his laughter could be superior to the vast majority. Life always became a breeze in his unique company .Love and Laughter were his precious specialities, and he'llbe missed by all who knew & shared his FUN. Proud to have been his Brother(in-law) - by the he was never Heavy...J X   Thank you Ray for being so special and for all the support given over the years both happy and sad times. We will all miss you SO much..E X

We are so sorry to hear that we have all lost Ray. What a delightful man. Thanks Ray for the pleasure your company brought us.

David & Maggs Malcolm (Coachtrips SL)

Happy child hood memories of summer holidays in London. Uncle Ray buying me my first ever curly wurly !! Taking me to watch THE best ever film Willy Wonka. Sharing happy family Wedding Days, special times, special memories, a very special man xxxxx

Ray gave me and my friends a great start in our working lives. I loved working at Chichester Festival Theatre and a lot of that was down to him. He put together a great team and managed us with enthusiasm, humour and love. He was always an inspiration. He was loyal and kind as well as entertaining. Thanks for being there Ray. I wish I had told you before how much you meant to me.

Ray provided much shared laughter and friendship to the family and myself over half a century and it is that memory that will stay with me the longest.

With love from us all
Jason and Karen, Matthew, and Janita
Fondest love to Gertrud and the family
Radha Soami

I can't believe you are really gone. You were supposed to be getting better. I want to come back to Spain and take you to the park to feed the ducks.

“If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone,
Nor when I'm gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,
But life goes on,
So sing as well.”


― Joyce Grenfell