The Manitoba Coin Club (MCC) is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated members, Ray Massey.
Ray, a stalwart of the club for over three decades, served as treasurer from the early 1990s through the mid-2010s, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his diligent and straightforward approach to managing the club’s finances.
Known for his no-nonsense attitude and dry humour, Ray ensured the club’s financial health with clear and consistent reporting, which kept the organization on solid footing. According to longtime friend and club historian Howard Engel, those who knew Ray well saw beyond his business-like exterior and recognized his deep passion for numismatics. He was an avid collector with a particular interest in Canadian decimal coins, paper money, and municipal trade dollars. Ray’s enthusiasm for the hobby often led him to contribute unique and intriguing pieces to the club’s auctions, much to the delight of fellow members.
Ray’s commitment to the MCC went far beyond his financial duties. He was a familiar face at the club’s events, where he would announce the hourly raffle winners while his late wife, Fern, assisted at the registration table. The couple’s unwavering dedication to the club was recognized on Feb. 26, 2020, when they were jointly awarded Life Memberships.
Even after Fern’s passing just over two years ago, Ray remained involved with the MCC, though friends noted he had slowed down significantly without her by his side. Despite this, he continued to attend monthly meetings at the Royal Canadian Mint’s second-floor training room whenever his health allowed. One of his final contributions to the club was selling his silver 2013 RCNA Convention Medal at one of the last meetings he attended—a fitting reminder of the couple’s active roles as Finance and Hospitality Committee Chairs during the MCC-hosted convention.
Ray and Fern Massey were beloved members of the Manitoba Coin Club, and their absence will be deeply felt by all who knew them. The club extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Masseys for their many years of enthusiastic service and dedication to the hobby.
To view the obituary notice, click here.