Remo Ferrari Remo (Ray) was born in Greek Street, Soho, London on 5th March 1935 to Antonio, of Italian descent and Edna Mabel a Yorkshire lass who always called Ray (Raymond) when he was a young boy. They had five children of which Ray was the eldest, there were three sisters; Pauline Helene, Josephine and brother Denny who lives here in Spain at Camposol. Many will know Denny and Maureen for the work they do for PALS. Ray spent most of his earlier years in London. He was evacuated during the war; like many young children. In his late teens he served two years in the Royal Corp of Signals. He enjoyed music and took up playing the clarinet in the local jazz band. In his early working life he followed his father’s footsteps by entering the Catering trade. He followed this with an Electrician Apprenticeship and later as a telephone engineer. In 1958 he met Gay and they married in 1961. They lived in Crouch End London for two years. Their first son Nicholas was born in 1962. Following their move to Norfolk, their second son Douglas was born in 1965. The family remained in Norfolk for forty years. During this time Ray and Gay opened an Italian style restaurant. This has been Ray’s dream for many years. they also had a bed and breakfast business for a short time. Ever the opportunist, Ray then founded a cane and pine shop where Ray actually took up making cane furniture, which became very popular at that time – in fact became a Jack of all Trades! Nearly seven years ago Ray and Gay decided on Bolnuevo as a place to live in their retirement. Since they made that decision they have made many good friends and acquaintances. Ray has been a great father, husband, companion and grandfather to Andrew aged seven; two grand daughters, Nikki aged four Kerry aged twenty-one and stepdaughter Jasmine. He will be sadly missed by all of his family and friends. Five months ago I was fortunate to meet my dear friends Ray and Gay The last thing Remo would want is anyone reading a thing called a “eulogy”. Well Remo, although you are here with us, there’s not much you can do about it. Unless of course you surprise us all…. and I wouldn’t put that past you. As you all know, Remo was very proud of his Italian heritage. Sometimes, mucking about, I would call him “Don Remo”. And sometimes, when he was in the mood, after a couple of glasses of wine, he would do his Marlon Brando impersonation and say in his Godfather voice. “I’m gonna amake you an offer you can’t refuse.” “What’s that Don Remo?” “Another glass of wine.” That was Remo. Always ready to have a good chuckle at something or other. Even at himself. Although it was well disguised with a considerable layer of Londoner, the Italian in Remo was never far from the surface. He regaled us with stories of his father, “Italian Tony” and his superb culinary skills had a distinct Italian flair. Only this last weekend, I was busy making some Italian lentil soup for Remo and Gay to come round and share. It would never be as good as anything Remo put on the table but I knew he would appreciate the effort, provided I threw in a bottle of good Chianti. And I don’t mean into the soup. Dear Gay and Remo recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary. When they mentioned it to me over a glass of wine at Bemajumi’s, I said. “Wow! Fancy that, being married for 48 years! That’s really amazing.” Now a proper Italian would have reached over, taken Gay’s hand, and said something romantic. Remo, on the other hand, looked at Gay and said, “How anyone can stay married for one year, let alone 48, to someone who has chips with spaghetti bolognaise, I just don’t know.” And yet, the love in his eyes for Gay was there for all the world to see. We shall miss you Remo. I feel somehow cheated out of a friendship that I knew was going to last and last. I wanted Gay and Remo to come to Cape Town sometime, and stay with me for a holiday. Reluctant at first, I was working on him and I believe he was warming to the idea. Especially when I told him, one of my daughters does the marketing for one of South Africa’s top wine estates. Through her job, Jessica has entrée to, and gets VIP treatment from, all the best restaurants. Yes, Remo, relax. Some of them are Italian. Gay and Remo would have loved it. Perhaps Gay will now grace us with a visit in the not too distant future. A future without Remo is hard for all of us. What is must be like for Gay and the family we can only imagine. But you will always live, Remo, in our hearts and minds. God bless you. Ken and Joyce have been close friends of Ray and Gay for five years and Ken has written a few words. Ken and Joyce, Ray and Gay hit it if right away. Ray loved traditional Jazz and So did Ken and shared the same interest in bands. Ken Collier, Chris Barber, Monty Sunshine, Acker Bilk, Lonnie Donegan and George Melly. Ray was a member of a Marching Band and played all over the London area in the late 50’s. Soho was where he was raised and his father ran a restaurant, which is where Ray got his grounding in entertaining. To his friends in Bolnuevo he was an attentive host and an excellent chef, he would invite people in for a coffee and three hours later you would leave with a rounded belly! When Ken and Joyce returned the hospitality on more than one occasion, Ray would remark- “Joyce can cook very well but she can’t make coffee! But this could be tempered by offering a nice Cognac, which appeared to make the coffee more palatable. Ray also loved to do the quizzes, run by Steve Tucker on Costa Calida Radio and he was quite successful at these. Ray knew the real names of practically everyone in show business, which came in handy at quiz time. We shall always remember the date of Ray’s passing – Spanish National Day. Finally a few words from Denny and Maureen I’m so glad I got the opportunity to come here to Spain to spend the last five and a half years with my brother Ray and am deeply upset that its come to an abrupt end and will miss him dearly - Ciao den I am so upset that you have gone. It was a pleasure to have you as my brother in-law and it was a honour to know you. Sleep tight -Maureen Arrivaderci Remo ….. Until we meet again.