Farewell Ray - Rest in Peace
You may have read on our social media pages that the Choir received more sad news last week with the news that a stalwart member of our Baritone section, Ray Smith had passed away.
At 83 years of age Ray was one of our oldest choristers and with almost 50 years of loyal and devoted commitment to the Choir, one of its longest serving members.
The initial Choir announcement, on social media, of Ray's passing received countless tributes from Ray's many friends and the following has recently been posted as an update on the Choir's Facebook page.
" We announced just a few days ago the very sad passing of one of our longest serving Choristers of The Morriston Orpheus Choir, Mr Ray Smith.
On behalf of all of Ray’s family, and his Orpheus Family we would like to say a grateful thank you for all the kind messages we have received at this very sad time.Ray served the Morriston Orpheus Choir loyally, passionately and with unbroken dedication for 49 years. He was one of the finest Baritone’s and was always regarded as Principle Baritone Extraordinaire within his section!! A title bestowed on him by his fellow Baritone members!
As with every choir, there is always one great character and Ray was just that!
Never short of a story or 2, Ray had the most natural gift of getting any chorister eating out of the palm of his hand; listening intently to what seemed to be a seamless and powerful story before landing the ultimate punch line and fits of laughter ensued.
In Ray’s words he always jokingly regarded himself as an exile having been born in Rhondda growing up and listening to the great Treorchy and Pendyrus Male Choirs, but when a move to Bridgend came along in his early beginnings, he found his way to Morriston, and for 49 years traveled west.
To us all, Ray was not just a chorister and character of our choir, but a great and gentle man, always on hand to welcome new choristers into the fold, and always supportive to anyone who needed help. He will be missed beyond measure and those long bus journeys will never be quite the same again.
On behalf of us all, we say Thank you Ray. Thank you for all of your service to our great choir, Thank you for your endless humour, Thank you for your great friendship, but most of all, Thank you for being simply you!! "
Rest in Peace Ray.
