Very Sad News: Rote8, Ray Harrison, RIP

[Casey]

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.

[Jamie R]

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


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[Mr Spiller]

Yep a big shock
True Gent
A very helpful one too
RIP Ray


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[boosted]

Sad news,  my condolences to his family.

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[Lisa]

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

[re japi]

Sad news...

My condolences to family

Lähetetty minun G8141 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[Eccentric shaft]

Our paths did not cross. Still very sad news. My sincere condolences to all.

[Casey]

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 

[lennycarloff]

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.

[clive]

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.

[boosted]

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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[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.

[Mr Spiller]

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.

Very nice words Clive


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[Jamie R]

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


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[Casey]

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