Title: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Casey on February 10, 2021, 05:58:41 PM
Post by: Casey on February 10, 2021, 05:58:41 PM
I have just learned from Ash, Ray Harrison's son, that Ray died last night :(
I am very shocked and extremely sad to hear this news. My sincere condolences to Linda, Ash and other family members.
For those who don't know, Ray was a founder member of the RX-8 Owners Club and a great supporter of the MRC for many years.
I first met Ray in around 2006, since when we have met on many occasions; club meets, trackdays, Christmas meals, etc. Ray was a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. We had many memorable times together at trackdays, often going out together in our cars to have some fun trying to keep up with whoever went out in front. I, and others, would often have a laugh with Ray at how he ever managed to drive so well in cuban heeled boots! He and I are the only club members who have been to every December trackday with Mazda on Track at Brands Hatch since 2007.
I am seriously trying to hold back the tears as I type this. My thoughts are with his wife, Linda and their son Ash, particularly as this seems to have been so sudden.
Ray, it was a privilege to have known and shared time with you. I will miss you greatly. RIP.
I am very shocked and extremely sad to hear this news. My sincere condolences to Linda, Ash and other family members.
For those who don't know, Ray was a founder member of the RX-8 Owners Club and a great supporter of the MRC for many years.
I first met Ray in around 2006, since when we have met on many occasions; club meets, trackdays, Christmas meals, etc. Ray was a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. We had many memorable times together at trackdays, often going out together in our cars to have some fun trying to keep up with whoever went out in front. I, and others, would often have a laugh with Ray at how he ever managed to drive so well in cuban heeled boots! He and I are the only club members who have been to every December trackday with Mazda on Track at Brands Hatch since 2007.
I am seriously trying to hold back the tears as I type this. My thoughts are with his wife, Linda and their son Ash, particularly as this seems to have been so sudden.
Ray, it was a privilege to have known and shared time with you. I will miss you greatly. RIP.
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Jamie R on February 10, 2021, 06:08:38 PM
Post by: Jamie R on February 10, 2021, 06:08:38 PM
Lost for words .....
I never had the opportunity to meet him, he always had a personable manner on any conversation with him.
Indeed a sad day for many
RIP Ray.
J
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I never had the opportunity to meet him, he always had a personable manner on any conversation with him.
Indeed a sad day for many
RIP Ray.
J
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Mr Spiller on February 10, 2021, 06:15:14 PM
Post by: Mr Spiller on February 10, 2021, 06:15:14 PM
Yep a big shock
True Gent
A very helpful one too
RIP Ray
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True Gent
A very helpful one too
RIP Ray
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: boosted on February 10, 2021, 06:17:14 PM
Post by: boosted on February 10, 2021, 06:17:14 PM
Sad news, my condolences to his family.
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Lisa on February 10, 2021, 06:45:08 PM
Post by: Lisa on February 10, 2021, 06:45:08 PM
This is such a shock, like Malcolm, we have known Ray ever since he got his RX8 back in 2004/2005.
Linda and family you are in our thoughts. RIP Ray it was a pleasure to have known you. God Bless
Lisa & Clive
Linda and family you are in our thoughts. RIP Ray it was a pleasure to have known you. God Bless
Lisa & Clive
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: re japi on February 11, 2021, 08:07:55 AM
Post by: re japi on February 11, 2021, 08:07:55 AM
Sad news... 
My condolences to family
Lähetetty minun G8141 laitteesta Tapatalkilla
My condolences to family
Lähetetty minun G8141 laitteesta Tapatalkilla
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Eccentric shaft on February 11, 2021, 05:45:55 PM
Post by: Eccentric shaft on February 11, 2021, 05:45:55 PM
Our paths did not cross. Still very sad news. My sincere condolences to all.
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Casey on February 11, 2021, 06:20:09 PM
Post by: Casey on February 11, 2021, 06:20:09 PM
I thought a photo of better times would help, taken at a trackday at Snetterton in Sept 2011.
Ray is 2nd from Left, then Robbie, Pete, Jim, Ian, Aston, myself and Clive. I honestly can't remember the person on the extreme left.
Happier days :)
Ray is 2nd from Left, then Robbie, Pete, Jim, Ian, Aston, myself and Clive. I honestly can't remember the person on the extreme left.
Happier days :)
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: lennycarloff on February 11, 2021, 07:01:18 PM
Post by: lennycarloff on February 11, 2021, 07:01:18 PM
It's very sad news, and he'll be very much missed. Unfortunately haven't had chance to meet up at show's over the last year for obvious reasons. Thanks Malcolm for the great photo.
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: clive on March 23, 2021, 08:36:38 AM
Post by: clive on March 23, 2021, 08:36:38 AM
Today we say farewell to our dear friend Ray Harrison. (Rote8)
Myself and Lisa will be attending on behalf of MRC.
On behalf of MRC we initially sent Linda a bouquet of flowers on first hearing of Ray's passing and there will also be a wreath there today, on behalf of MRC which will just simply say :- Farewell Ray - Safe Journey, on behalf of all at Mazda Rotary Club.
RIP Ray - you will be sadly missed by so many.
Myself and Lisa will be attending on behalf of MRC.
On behalf of MRC we initially sent Linda a bouquet of flowers on first hearing of Ray's passing and there will also be a wreath there today, on behalf of MRC which will just simply say :- Farewell Ray - Safe Journey, on behalf of all at Mazda Rotary Club.
RIP Ray - you will be sadly missed by so many.
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: boosted on March 23, 2021, 05:30:11 PM
Post by: boosted on March 23, 2021, 05:30:11 PM
Rip Ray. My thoughts are with your family.
Ray mustve been before my time on here and rx8oc as i dont recognise the car.
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Ray mustve been before my time on here and rx8oc as i dont recognise the car.
Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: clive on March 23, 2021, 09:31:01 PM
Post by: clive on March 23, 2021, 09:31:01 PM
My friend Ray.
April 2005 Mazda invited a few people to Brands for a promotional thing in the convention centre and as you will see in the picture below an RX-8 was parked behind my car.
This was the day I met Ray, the owner of the car that just happened to be parked behind mine.
We very quickly realised that we were very likeminded people and I found it very poignant that at Ray's service today it was mentioned that he did not "suffer fools gladly" and those who know me know I am very much of the same ilk!
The RX-8 was maybe only a year old but Ray he had a clear plan for the car and asked me to modify his to me still new car into his personal vision.
Biggest challenge was not fitting the full Genuine Mazdaspeed kit, it was constructing the bull bars Ray stipulated had to be fitted, because as some of you have seen today, living one road back from Southend sea front, day trippers would bump his cars in efforts to so called park.
Ray ended up with the only RX-8 in the world ever to be fitted with four towing eyes, as this was the only way to mount his required bull bars that are still on the car to this day.
During the next 16 years Ray became so so much more than a car club buddy as away from club events we did many things together and at times sought each other's advice, even more so when he was nominated as RX8OC chairman which was something he was immensely proud of.
Lisa and myself will miss Ray tremendously, but the one thing I was happy about was that from time to time we would ring each other to catch up and just before he went into hospital I phoned to see how both he and Linda was getting on during the lock down.
I now cherish that we caught up one last time, but sadly neither of us can keep the dinner date we promised after the lockdown.
Tonight. our thoughts are with Linda, Ash and his family and I hope that they will find comfort knowing Ray would have been so proud of the wonderfully constructed service that took place today.
April 2005 Mazda invited a few people to Brands for a promotional thing in the convention centre and as you will see in the picture below an RX-8 was parked behind my car.
This was the day I met Ray, the owner of the car that just happened to be parked behind mine.
We very quickly realised that we were very likeminded people and I found it very poignant that at Ray's service today it was mentioned that he did not "suffer fools gladly" and those who know me know I am very much of the same ilk!
The RX-8 was maybe only a year old but Ray he had a clear plan for the car and asked me to modify his to me still new car into his personal vision.
Biggest challenge was not fitting the full Genuine Mazdaspeed kit, it was constructing the bull bars Ray stipulated had to be fitted, because as some of you have seen today, living one road back from Southend sea front, day trippers would bump his cars in efforts to so called park.
Ray ended up with the only RX-8 in the world ever to be fitted with four towing eyes, as this was the only way to mount his required bull bars that are still on the car to this day.
During the next 16 years Ray became so so much more than a car club buddy as away from club events we did many things together and at times sought each other's advice, even more so when he was nominated as RX8OC chairman which was something he was immensely proud of.
Lisa and myself will miss Ray tremendously, but the one thing I was happy about was that from time to time we would ring each other to catch up and just before he went into hospital I phoned to see how both he and Linda was getting on during the lock down.
I now cherish that we caught up one last time, but sadly neither of us can keep the dinner date we promised after the lockdown.
Tonight. our thoughts are with Linda, Ash and his family and I hope that they will find comfort knowing Ray would have been so proud of the wonderfully constructed service that took place today.
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Mr Spiller on March 23, 2021, 09:36:35 PM
Post by: Mr Spiller on March 23, 2021, 09:36:35 PM
Quote from: clive on March 23, 2021, 09:31:01 PMVery nice words Clive
My friend Ray.
April 2005 Mazda invited a few people to Brands for a promotional thing in the convention centre and as you will see in the picture below an RX-8 was parked behind my car.
This was the day I met Ray, the owner of the car that just happened to be parked behind mine.
We very quickly realised that we were very likeminded people and I found it very poignant that at Ray's service today it was mentioned that he did not "suffer fools gladly" and those who know me know I am very much of the same ilk!
The RX-8 was maybe only a year old but Ray he had a clear plan for the car and asked me to modify his to me still new car into his personal vision.
Biggest challenge was not fitting the full Genuine Mazdaspeed kit, it was constructing the bull bars Ray stipulated had to be fitted, because as some of you have seen today, living one road back from Southend sea front, day trippers would bump his cars in efforts to so called park.
Ray ended up with the only RX-8 in the world ever to be fitted with four towing eyes, as this was the only way to mount his required bull bars that are still on the car to this day.
During the next 16 years Ray became so so much more than a car club buddy as away from club events we did many things together and at times sought each other's advice, even more so when he was nominated as RX8OC chairman which was something he was immensely proud of.
Lisa and myself will miss Ray tremendously, but the one thing I was happy about was that from time to time we would ring each other to catch up and just before he went into hospital I phoned to see how both he and Linda was getting on during the lock down.
I now cherish that we caught up one last time, but sadly neither of us can keep the dinner date we promised after the lockdown.
Tonight. our thoughts are with Linda, Ash and his family and I hope that they will find comfort knowing Ray would have been so proud of the wonderfully constructed service that took place today.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Jamie R on March 23, 2021, 09:37:11 PM
Post by: Jamie R on March 23, 2021, 09:37:11 PM
Great tribute Clive.
I never had the pleasure of meeting ray, but it would appear his parting to a better place has left a hole in many people's lives.
Always a personable gentleman whenever I spoke to him
Rip ray
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I never had the pleasure of meeting ray, but it would appear his parting to a better place has left a hole in many people's lives.
Always a personable gentleman whenever I spoke to him
Rip ray
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Casey on March 23, 2021, 10:00:12 PM
Post by: Casey on March 23, 2021, 10:00:12 PM
What a day.
That was a wonderful story Clive, thanks for posting it up.
I was honoured to be asked by Linda and Ashley to say a few words at the service today. I almost stumbled with emotion in the middle, but took a deep breath and knew I owed it to Ray to finish what I wanted to say.
Ashley and Linda orchestrated a wonderfully touching service to honour Ray's passing. Funerals are never easy, but today was a very fitting tribute to a great bloke.
It showed how much the RX-8 was part of Ray's life that a third of the people attending today were from the rotary community.
R.I.P Ray
That was a wonderful story Clive, thanks for posting it up.
I was honoured to be asked by Linda and Ashley to say a few words at the service today. I almost stumbled with emotion in the middle, but took a deep breath and knew I owed it to Ray to finish what I wanted to say.
Ashley and Linda orchestrated a wonderfully touching service to honour Ray's passing. Funerals are never easy, but today was a very fitting tribute to a great bloke.
It showed how much the RX-8 was part of Ray's life that a third of the people attending today were from the rotary community.
R.I.P Ray
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: QUADroach on April 24, 2021, 08:00:35 AM
Post by: QUADroach on April 24, 2021, 08:00:35 AM
sad news, rip ray
Title: Re: Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP
Post by: Casey on April 26, 2021, 08:39:10 PM
Post by: Casey on April 26, 2021, 08:39:10 PM
I posted this up on the RX-8 OC but neglected to post it up on here. I put together this short video for Linda and Ashley to capture Ray's funeral day. The music formed a major part of the service.
I would never have contemplated taking pictures and video at funerals in the past, but with the advent of video streamed live services, the taboo has been well and truly lifted.
Linda and Ashley were happy for me to share it here, in memory of Ray. The service itself is not included in the compilation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cUE8gOdlew
I would never have contemplated taking pictures and video at funerals in the past, but with the advent of video streamed live services, the taboo has been well and truly lifted.
Linda and Ashley were happy for me to share it here, in memory of Ray. The service itself is not included in the compilation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cUE8gOdlew