Ray Talbot Hermiston

Ray Hermiston died peacefully at a time of his choice on November 27th, his 89th birthday, with his family by his side. 

Ray spent his childhood taking risks and playing sports. He was an exceptional hockey player who dreamt of a professional hockey career. He decided instead to pursue an education and graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1959. During his time at Queen’s he found time to play football, hockey, and was part of the wrestling team. He also met the love of his life, Mary Kathleen Sullivan in 1956. They married in 1958.

After graduation Ray headed up the athletics program at Selkirk Technical High School (in Thunder Bay), where daughter Sandy and son Andrew were born. In 1963 Ray returned to school at the University of Michigan. On completing his PhD, Ray became one of three founding faculty members at the newly established school of physical education at the University of Windsor. 

Ray was a visionary when it came to the importance of computers in modern life. He began using a mainframe computer during his Ph.D. studies in the 1960s and continued to do so for the rest of his professional career. He developed many different computer programs for professional use. His belief in the future of computers was so strong that he created specialized computer classes for HK students to equip them to work in the modern world.

Ray was involved with the Montreal Olympics host organization focusing on producing the results in Athletics. He was part of the delegation to Munich where he narrowly escaped being witness to the tragic massacre of Israeli athletes in the athletes village. He scaled that same fence just hours earlier after watching the famous hockey series between Canada and the Soviet Union. 

Following the tragic loss of a dear family friend, Ray and Kay decided to seize the day and headed off on sabbatical to Denmark in 1972 with their two children in tow. Ray was excited about the research he did in Denmark. He intended to continue it in Canada, but unfortunately due to medical red tape, it just wasn’t possible. About that same time, he was approached by the federal government to work on the establishment of a national sport centre in Ottawa. He spent a year commuting from Windsor to Ottawa in 1974/75. 

In late 1974 Ray was a founder of the Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences. It began circulation in 1976 – to coincide with the hosting of the Montreal Olympic Games. Ray served as the first treasurer, secretary and assistant editor. 

In 1979 Ray was appointed the second Dean of the Faculty of Human Kinetics – a position he held until 1985. As his last official act at convocation that year, he awarded his son Andrew with a Bachelor of Human Kinetics. In 1997 he was inducted into the University of Windsor’s Sports Hall of Fame.

Ray often said he never worked a day in his life. After his retirement in 1996, Ray and Kay decided that they would live at their cottage for as long as they could every year. He transformed the cottage with many improvements. He hosted his grandchildren at “Grandpa’s Boot Camp” after they turned 10 - an experience none of them will forget.

In the winter Ray and Kay lived in their winter home located in Sebring, Florida where they made lifelong friends. Ray also enjoyed the on-site workshop where he honed his woodworking skills. 

Ray and Kay continued their adventures, travelling extensively. Their favourite trips were to see the great migration in Tanzania, the amazing wildlife in the Galapagos Islands and the trip down the Iriwaddy. 

We are grateful that Ray was able to enjoy one more Hermiston-Marino fishing trip with his fishing buddies this summer. Ray and Kay also spent 7 weeks at the cottage where they enjoyed visiting with their family and their cottage friends. They especially enjoyed the week they were able to spend with their great-grandchildren Jackson, Lincoln and Evelyn. 

He is survived by his wife Kay, his daughter Sandy Hermiston (husband Mark Nicoll), grandson Brennan Nicoll (wife Haley) who are the parents of his great grandchildren (Jackson, Lincoln and Evelyn) and grandson Ross Nicoll as well as son Andrew (wife Marnie) and grandchildren Will, Drew, Jamie and Kate Hermiston.

A tribute to Ray’s legacy, spearheaded by the co-host of their annual fishing trip, Wayne Marino, can be found at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Human Kinetics building.

Ray was very pleased that so many people reached out in the last few weeks to let him know that he had made a difference. 

To honour Ray’s wishes there will be no celebration of life. We invite you to celebrate his memory in your own way.