PICTOU - Capt. Raymond George Wilkie passed away peacefully in his sleep in Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit, New Glasgow, on May 6, 2007, surrounded by his family. Born in Middle Lahave, Lunenburg County, NS, on Sept 24th, 1919, he was the son of the late George and Annie (Corkum) Wilkie. He went to sea full time at the age of 15, and this was to become the love of his life, second to Hazel. Ray was an honourable Canadian Veteran spending his earlier years in the war serving on three different ships in the Merchant Marines as a Chief Officer, and spent much of his time transporting troops and supplies to and from the West Indies, South America, and Newfoundland in convoys. He was awarded his Foreign Masters Sea Going Certificate on 22 Oct., 1951. He then worked in various government positions including Marine Hull Inspection for the Province of Nova Scotia (25 years' service) and as a navigation instructor at the Fisheries Training Centre in Pictou, NS. The Sea always remained close to his heart, and in his blood. Ray was a lifetime member and past president of the Pictou Lions Club, he was a member of the Legion, Pictou Branch, and a member of the Canadian Veterans Association. He was also a proud member of the Canadian Merchant Navy Association. Ray enjoyed sailing and built two sailing boats which gave him many years of enjoyment, and he also enjoyed playing golf in his later years. He was an avid oil painter and painted many beautiful scenes which hang in the family home. He could be seen for many years applying loving care to the greens and fairways of the Pictou Golf and Country Club, again overlooking the sea. He is survived by his wife, Hazel; sons, John (Miami, U.S.A.), Shawn (Oromocto, N.B.); a daughter, Joan (S. Carolina, U.S.A.), and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother and two sisters. A special thank you to the staff at the Palliative Care Unit, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, for your special care and attention given to Ray during his stay there. You are all wonderfully dedicated people who give special meaning to a person's final journey. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at McLaren's Funeral Home in Pictou from where the funeral will take place on Tuesday at 2 p.m. with Pastor Mary MacDermid officiating. Burial will be in Seaview Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations can be made to the SPCA, or the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 16 will meet at the funeral home at 6:45 p.m. Monday to conduct their service. Online condolences may be sent to mclaren@ns.sympatico.ca. "Give me a good ship, a fair wind and a peaceful harbour that I may safely anchor at the end of the day" You have found your harbour. You will not be forgotten.