Mr. Ray Iwaasa, of Qualicum Beach passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026 at the age of 97. Ray was the third son of a farm family of nine children, being born in Raymond, Alberta on January 13, 1929. His parents, siblings, spouse Beverly Boyd and a grandson, Ryan Phillips, all predeceased him.

Ray is survived by his three sons; Robert (Diane) of Calgary, Stone (Louise) of Montreal, and Jon (Sandy) of Spruce Grove and his close friend and love of his life Susan Grandfield of Qualicum Beach. He is also survived and will be deeply missed by his three granddaughters, their spouses and five great grandchildren, as well as Susan's two children and her granddaughter. They all loved their grandpa so much.

Ray farmed with his brother Nolan in the early 1950's before moving to Edmonton where he became a Melton Real Estate employee. He also created his own land development firm contributing notably to the growth of the southeastern river bank area of Edmonton and the City of Leduc. Being the people person that he was, he then moved on to working as a Social Worker with the City of Edmonton and then as a Probation Officer for the Government.

Ray enjoyed an early retirement from the Alberta Provincial Government and continued grain farming part-time on the family farm west of Stony Plain. This enabled him to travel in off seasons to Europe, Japan, USA, BC, Ottawa area, Quebec, the Maritimes and the Yukon.

Ray's extensive volunteering and communication skills touched the lives of many across Canada and abroad. Endeavors and groups he assisted, eg., social justice, health, peace and understanding between peoples, continue to grow. The Harmony Bridge and Historic Walking Tour he helped establish in Cumberland's Coal Creek No. 1 Japanese Town, may best reflect Ray's abilities and vision.

A familiar, friendly figure in Oceanside region in his last years, Ray enjoyed meeting people over breakfast, coffee, ice cream. Various forms of commemorating Ray's life are still being discussed and planned by family and friends as he was very humble, discreet and flexible in this final journey, preferring simplicity and respect for all.

Please feel free to leave any memory, thought, tribute, etc. on this website. You are also invited by family to reach out to those members with whom you may desire more exchanges about Ray via mail or other means. In lieu of costly gestures of sympathy intended for Ray or family, please consider supporting a cause or a group of your choosing. Thank you.

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