Obituary of John Rae

John Robert (Bob) Rae passed away peacefully on January 25, 2016 in Wantagh, Long Island, New York at age 86. He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Helen Shelton Hills Rae and their beloved dog Duffy; his children, Judy (Brian) Manning, Bob (Kathy) Rae, and Brad (Mona) Rae; 6 grandchildren, Matthew (Tamara) Manning, Christopher (Krista) Manning, Jon (Jenn) Manning, Jonathon Rae, Jordan Rae, Paige (Jean Phillip Hout); 6 great-grandchildren, Ella, Harlow, Merrick, Beckett, Akacia and Eva. He is also survived by his sister, Arlene Paling and nephews, Rae, Glen, Paul, niece Dilys Collinson and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Mabel; his first wife and mother of his children, Gwendolyn; and his son, Richard in 2008. Born in Edmonton, AB on October 7, 1929, Bob always claimed that his birth at the time of the infamous stock market crash allowed him to make a grand entrance. Bob grew up working in the family store, Rae's Jewellery on Jasper Ave. During his Oliver School years, he attended Air Cadets acquiring a strong respect for Canada's Military. He also developed a love of theatre and sang in many Veteran Homes after WW II with the Edmonton Variety Group. This led to working with the Light Opera of Edmonton and acting in many musicals including Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, The King and I, Brigadoon, Sound of Music, and West Side Story. Bob also performed in local TV and Radio advertising campaigns and in remote variety shows in Yellowknife and Inuvik. In 1955 Bob started his 32 career with New York Life Insurance and in 1958 settled his young family in Sherwood Park. Bob often worked from home and would remember to call each of his clients on their birthday and tell them at least one of his latest jokes. Bob moved to Long Island and married Helen in 1987 and together they enjoyed their retirement years. A service to commemorate his life was held at the Charles J O'Shea Funeral Home in Wantagh, NY home at 10:30 am on Thursday January 28, 2016 with burial to follow at St. Charles cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.