Raymond Fred Fugard (VY1RF) AKA Radio Ray
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Raymond Fred Fugard. Ray came to the Yukon from Ontario more than 40 years ago and settled in Dawson City. Radio broadcasting became his passion at the local Dawson station. He also dabbled in mechanics. A lot of his time was spent in Keno, Elsa, and Mayo. When Ray’s vision began to deteriorate, it became challenging to live far away from the medical services he needed so he eventually moved to Whitehorse.
Ray became interested in amateur radio and got his license – VY1RF – in December of 2006. By then he was legally blind. He was very active with the Yukon Amateur Radio Association (YARA). He was the Club’s “network monitor.” His radios were on 24/7, and he knew the frequencies and coverage area of every repeater. Ray took part in YARA radio communications for the Klondike Road Relay, Kluane Chilkat International Bike Race, the MS Walks in Whitehorse, and various multi-government exercises for emergency preparedness.
In 2017, Ray moved to Teslin, Yukon, where he fell in love with the community and was very proud to call it home.
He carried a handheld amateur radio wherever he went, and he also had the LADD channels the truckers use. Teslin residents were intrigued at the sight of Ray sitting at a picnic table by the café talking to invisible friends up and down the highways. He was the ham radio equivalent of the Milepost magazine and was happy to give advice and assistance to people young and old.
Ray had COPD for a long time, and in the last couple of years it limited his mobility. His home was full of radios, so he kept in touch with everybody. He enjoyed a cigarette and a sip of vanilla whiskey until the end.
Ray is predeceased by his Mother Mary, Father Gordon, Sisters Geraldine, Roberta, and Brother Ronald. He is survived by his Sister Nikki Alexander of Port Moody, BC and Brother Rex Fugard of Surrey, BC.
Ray cherished his Yukon Family, especially Jenn Roberts, George Privett and the members of YARA.
A celebration of life will be held for Ray later in the year when the weather is warm.
Mary Inverarity + Don Inverarity
Very sad to hear this. Thank you Jenny Roberts and George. Ray helped me out at Fox Lake by getting in touch with Don who was in Beaver Creek at the time and relaying instructions so I could get power back on at -30. RIP Ray from VY1MI and VY1DI. you will be so missed on the radio.
Nikki Alexander
Ray loved his life in the Yukon and was proud of the contribution he made and his involvement in the Yukon Amateur Radio Association. May his memory be a blessing. Thank you Jenny Roberts for the friendship you brought to his life.
Nikki Alexander
Rest now Raymie.
Jeff Stanhope
Ray was always a reliable voice on the other end of the radio network, both for local yukoners, but also helping the many ham radio visitors over the years when they were passing through. Thanks Ray.
Rick Chabot
Was sad to hear the passing of Ray, my daughter who lives in Dawson Yukon contacted me to let me know a Ham operator had passed away in Teslin and not knowing my wife and i stopped in to visit Ray as we made contact on VHF radio in our motorhome. We stopped in for coffee with Ray and got a chance to visit the Northern Wildlife museum at the gas station where we had a chance to see the incredible setup of wildlife in action. What a display.
We will keep monitoring this page for info of his celebration of life as we are heading back to Dawson City in June. Ray left a mark on us, great stories of some of his contacts around the world on HF and i got a chance to show him pictures we took of his remote repeater up on the mountain in Dawson.
God Speed Ray.
Ricky & Lucy Chabot
VA3AGX & VE3LTC
Kapuskasing Ont.
Canada.