RAY SHOPLAND - Happy Memories of a Friend
By Brother in law Martin – June 2025
Ray first came into my life shortly after Minnie and I were married. Sylvia as Minnie’s revered sister was responsible for that early contact with Ray. Minnie and I did not have the pleasure of going to their wedding as we were then in faraway Malaysia. However, Army postings took us next to Germany and it was during that time when Sylvia and Ray took a holiday that we got together and really met Ray. There was no mistaking them as they appeared riding on a scooter laden with camping gear. Ray looking very pleased with himself advertising his happiness with a wide and now familiar grin. I am sure my memory serves me right that I recall Sylvia also looking full of the joys of spring and contentment. Obviously a very happy couple.
That happy alliance was clearly bound by strong bonds because it lasted until Ray took his leave from this mortal coil just so recently to the sadness of all of us here especially Sylvia and the Shopland family.
I have many happy and good recollections of Ray and want to share one or two of them to celebrate his memory.
I still have black trunk we used when we emigrated emigrate to New Zealand in 1971. It still has Ray and Sylvia’s home address in Auckland on it as 14 Dreifuss Place Mangere and was numbered case 3 of 14.
Ray and Sylvia had provided a base for Minnie and our two girls when they first arrived off the steamer at Queens Wharf in Auckland that southern winter so long ago. Their hospitality made a huge difference for Minnie and the girls and I still feel obliged to Sylvia and Ray for that act of enormous generosity especially because they looked after Minnie until I arrived somewhat later.
Ray was very keen on photography, in fact he very rarely went anywhere without his camera and he produced some great pictures. The problem for me was that I have very few photos of his that showed him in the picture. I have a recent one which included 19 members of the wider Shopland, Leggett, Alexander, Smith and Raffeeti, Dealy, clans plus a dog, but no Ray. He it was who stood behind the camera to photograph this memorable event.
Ray had the courage to set up as an entrepreneur and run his own sheet metal work business. He was shy of showing it off but I finally persuaded him to let me see his workshop. This included some hefty bending and cutting machines and other impressive paraphernalia. It must have been pretty darn hard work and determination to keep the business going, but typically of Ray he succeeded in making a living from it which was a testament to his hard work, his engineering skills and his determination.
Ray did much for his own family especially as husband and father. But he also did much for the wider family especially to help George and Georgette in their retirement years.
Ray has left a wonderful legacy, especially his family through Sylvia, Alice and Suzanne to Nico, and Mack and their wider connections. May you continue to flourish and have happy memories of him.
RIP Ray we will miss you.
Copyright of all parts of site is owned by M Ough Dealy It was last amended on 13 October 2025