Ray Moschuk Classification

Ray was talking to Murray Lott of Tsawwassen Rotary about classifications within Rotary. Murray asked what did Ray do? Ray said his wife Joanne would look for things around the house for Ray to do, then Ray would project manage those things.  Murray said that makes you a house husband then.

Ray said this is about how he got here today. He was born on an island in North Ontario and has always loved being around the water.  This is the story of how he got back to the water.

Ray worked for the CRTC out of Ottawa for many years.  He was an investigator for questionable trade practices and he enjoyed working with an Inspector Clousteau clone.  Ray looked after the bumbling inspector and had many adventures across the country during this time.  Ray eventually landed in Alberta where he worked for the Alberta Govt Telephone Corp.  During this time, he still found time to join Rotary and Toastmasters while raising 5, 7 and 9 year olds. One day, his young daughter asked about the first place ribbons Ray would bring home from Toastmasters. Ray said he was awarded the ribbons for speaking extemporaneously on at club meetings on the topic of your choice. His daughter had one of her friends over and Ray overheard her saying; you have to meet my day, he is an expert on anything for two minutes.

Edmonton is known as a city of festivals.  During the Fringe Festival, Ray had an extra $5 in his pocket and he stopped at a booth with a fortune teller. She said you are going to meet and marry a 34 year woman named Joan.  Eighteen months later, Ray met Joanne (future wife) but the numbers were reversed.  Ray thought that if he had paid $10, the fortune teller would probably have gotten it exactly right.

Ray and Joanne had decided to come back to the coast to the water, back to the boat. Their boat is moored in Bellingham and both are very happy and really enjoy making new friends. Ray has been happy to share with the club and wanted to sign off with the last verse of a Dylan Thomas poem, one of his favourite poets.  The poem is Fern Hill;

Oh as I was young and easy in the mercy of his means,
Time held me green and dying
Though I sang in my chains like the sea.

Several questions from club members were asked including the name and details of his boat, what his hobbies are (Ray and Joanne really enjoy golf and the fact you can play all year). Don Burkett had the final question: Do you know how to use a shovel?