Raymond Le Néal

Raymond Le Néal

Peacefully at the Tiger Hills Health Centre on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, Mr. Raymond Le Néal of Treherne, MB passed away at the ago of 84 years.

He leaves to mourn his passing his beloved wife Esther (née Callewaert); his three sons, Ryan Le Néal (Cathy), Marc (Lisa) Le Néal and Colin Le Néal (Kristine); six grandchildren, Rebecca (Justin), Richard, Rheal, Madeline, Sophie and Charlee; and three great-grandchildren, Grady, Adley and Easton. He also leaves to mourn two sisters, Laurette (Henri) Lacroix and Doreen Dion; one brother-in-law Robert (Yvonne) Callewaert; and numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Yves Le Néal and Marie Rose (née Deshayes); by his parents-in-law, Nestor Callewaert and Agnes (née Vercruysse); and by his in-laws, Raymond Dion and Angele (Murray) Jeffery.

Raymond (Ray) was born in a small house on a farm near Treherne, Manitoba on May 7th, 1939. He spent the first 11 years of his life on a rented farmhouse and quarter section before the family purchased, 13-7-10 NE in 1955. It was here where he fostered his lifelong love of farming and family.  However, circumstances dictated he would leave the farm to pursue a career in education. He taught on permit for a year before obtaining his Teaching Certificate and subsequent Bachelor of Education and Arts degrees from the University of Manitoba. Over the years, he taught and held principal positions in various locations in Manitoba including Winnipeg, Brandon, Baldur, Snow Lake, Dominion City and Emerson. He also taught for the Canadian Military at their base in Lahr Germany for a couple of years in the early 70s.

He would meet his wife, Esther, while performing in a band he belonged to one evening in Altamont, Manitoba and they were married in 1964. After accepting a position as superintendent of Boundary School Division in 1969, they started a family and settled in Emerson, Manitoba for 14 years. It was here Ryan and Marc were adopted and Colin was born. However, his passion for farming and love of the land drew him back to Treherne in 1983.  He acquired the home quarter from his Dad and took a teaching position at Treherne Collegiate Institute and later became superintendent of Tiger Hills School Division but always remained on the farm through his retirement until his passing.

Ray was active in many community activities, serving as President of Minor Hockey Associations, as well as coaching curling and badminton at the high school level. He also served on the board of the Treherne Museum, Tiger Hills Health District and the Redboine Water Conservation District.

Ray and Esther loved travelling and travelled extensively throughout Canada, visiting almost every province and territory in the Dominion during his lifetime.  They travelled extensively in Europe while they lived in Germany and returned a couple times to visit family and attend a wedding in their retirement.  Dad truly enjoyed and cherished family and particularly children, taking every opportunity he could to spend time with his kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Prayers will be held at Adam's Funeral Home on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 7:30 pm. Funeral Service will be held at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. Eulogy and Video Tribute at 1:30 pm followed by Funeral Mass at 2 pm with Father Joseph Tran and Father Francis Adzakor officiating. Interment in the Notre Dame Parish Cemetery.

The service will be available to view via Live Streaming. If you would like your name to appear in the guestbook please email your name to office@afh.ca

Memorial donations can be made to a charity of choice.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca