It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ray Tresierra, who at the age of 73, lost his courageous battle to pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Milly, his son Cody (Elvira) Tresierra, daughter Lori (Ron) Durocher, his granddaughter, Rae-Lee Tresierra, his brothers and sisters; Bill (Laurel) Tresierra, Clinton, Vivian Shearer, Kamloops, Shirley (Dave) Park, Clinton, Leona (Al Mckay), Williams Lake, Neil (Alice) Tresierra – Willliams Lake, Pat (Jim) Comeau, Quesnel, Lloyd (Ingrid) Tresierra, Quesnel, stepsister Lois (Dirk) Mendel, Kitimat, step-brother, Loran Wiley, Kamloops and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces/nephews.
Ray was born in Williams Lake and raised in the Big Bar/Clinton area. He hunted, fished, rode horses, played hockey and softball and often worked in the hayfields until he began his work in the bush as a sawyer. It was during this time, 1956, that he met Milly who was working at the Grill in Clinton. They married in Calgary on June 15, 1957. Clinton was their home for their first years of marriage at which time they purchased their first Arabian horse. They then acquired a farm at the Chasm and bought a few more horses. Raymond could often be seen on his favorite horse Deuce hunting with Milly, Bill and others in Empire Valley/Big Bar area, accompanying his daughter to rodeos and horse shows throughout B.C. cleaning the snow off the outdoor rinks at his son’s hockey games, or joining friends at the curling rink.
Ray and Milly moved to Quesnel in 1972 where he worked for Ed Reierson scarifying and falling to make fence posts. Ray began working at Cariboo Pulp and Paper in 1974 until he retired in 1999. During his years in Quesnel, he continued to pursue his interests of hunting, fishing and curling. He also was often seen working the horses or helping anyone who needed some tips on handling theirs - especially when it came to loading them into a trailer. When he wasn’t doing the above, he was watching his granddaughter pursue her various interests in sports and music.
A “Celebration of Life” memorial service was held at the Legion Hall on November 8th and was packed to capacity. Ray’s nephew, Archie Kittler, opened the service with prayer and scripture readings. Lori, Ron and Lou Martz sang and provided the music to several gospel songs while Rae-Lee sang her own composition, that would have made her Grandpa proud - So You Can Hear Me (Say I Love You). Many friends and family members shared their memories and there were laughs a plenty.
The family would like to thank G.R. Baker Memorial staff for the care they provided. They would also like to thank Clayton’s Funeral Directors for all their support . Further thanks to all those that sent cards and flowers and to the Legion Ladies Auxilary for catering the tea.
To honour the memory of our husband/father/brother/uncle, a Commemorative Bench will be installed on the River Front trail purchased by members of Ray’s family.