RIP Ray Aylott, aka "Ray & Sue"

[Dennis The Menace]

Some sad news. Ray passed peacefully away yesterday evening.

I was lucky enough to get to know Ray on the Artemis farewell cruise and a nicer man you couldn't hope to meet. Indeed, he was the "Ray" featured in my book. We often met for a chat on that cruise, usually when our ladies were elsewhere doing their own thing, and he instantly came across as a genuinely lovely and caring bloke - he even let me play with his IPad!

The incredible way Ray always seemed to handle his illness meant that I had always hoped and assumed we would all cruise together again one day. I'm truly sorry we never managed that Raymond.

Sail on my friend, and thanks for everything, especially all those brilliant cruise blogs full of the love and passion for cruising that so many of us shared with you.

R

[GillD46]

Ray was a lovely man, a genuinely nice person. We were lucky enough to meet he and Sue on Britannia last year.

Condolences to Sue and the family. God bless, Ray.

[Whynd1]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. He was very helpful to me over health insurance and then we bumped into each other on a cruise.
Such a lovely man and I really enjoyed reading his and Sue's cruise reports.
Feel very sad to hear that news today.

Lindsey

[Mervyn and Trish]

Sad news Dennis. I never met him but from his postings he seemed a gentleman. If you have chance please pass on condolences to Sue

[RB1961]

How sad. Enjoyed his blogs

RIP Ray

RB

[Stephen]

I'm really sorry to hear this new Dennis. Like Merv I never met Ray, but he came across on this forum as very nice person who enjoyed his cruises and had a positive outlook on his illness.

My sincere condolences to his wife Sue

R.I.P Ray

[Gill W]

Strangely, I was just thinking of Ray yesterday. I think it was the news about David Bowie that brought 'Frintonite' into my mind, and I even went so far as to Google his blog to see if he'd posted recently.

I'm genuinely sorry to hear this news - I always enjoyed reading his blogs, and his love of cruising always shone though.

I remember that he'd posted that things seemed to be going well, and he hoped to do another cruise - sadly not to be.

My very best wishes to his family.

(thanks for letting us know, Dennis)

[qbman1]

How sad. Never met the gent but enjoyed his posts on here. Condolences to all Ray's family and friends.

I shall go for a few minutes' quiet reflection.

[Romig1]

Sad news. He seemed such a nice bloke, and as DTM said, very positive (yet realistic) about his illness.

[colin parry]

So sad. Condolences to Sue and my prayers for her to be strong and remember all the good times they shared.
Colin

[Suekersh]

Very sad news. I really enjoyed reading his blogs. He was such a positive person. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.

Sue

[Kenmo1]

How strange that I was also thinking of Ray yesterday - like GillW said, it was probably because of David Bowie that brought Ray to my mind. So very sorry to hear the news and yet another reminder to us all to try to do the things we want to do while we can.

I will miss Ray's Ramblings as I enjoyed reading his blog. My thoughts are with his wife, Sue.

Maureen

[Onelife]

Really sorry to hear this sad news.....He came across as a real genuine chap.

RIP

[Jean W]

So sorry to hear this sad news. I too enjoyed reading Ray's blogs.

My condolences to Sue and his Family.

RIP Ray

[Ray B]

A gentleman, so sad, I am sure will be missed on the forum.

[Meg 50]

please send my condolences to Sue and the family

ta

xx

[oldbluefox]

Such sad news. He will be missed by a good many especially those who enjoyed his blog and were lucky enough to meet and know him.

[suespud]

RIP Ray, we shared a few pms, a very brave man. Deepest Sympathy to Sue and family. xx

[Jan Rosser]

Thank you Dennis for letting us know about Ray - like others who have posted I never met Ray and Sue but through his blogs and photos thought of them as friends. My deepest sympathy to Sue and family - Ray was always so positive and brave and much admired by so many of us - RIP Ray you will never be forgotten xxx

[Dennis The Menace]

For anyone wanting to pass on their best wishes to Ray's family, there are lots of nice comments (and interesting photos) being posted on Ray's Facebook page. Well worth a look.

A nice little note from Ray's son, James too :

[Raybosailor]

Sad news about Ray, our condolences to Sue and family.

[jay-ell71]

Oh dear. Last time we heard from him he was doing better. Condolences to the family. Judith

[mavismumakrill]

so sorry to hear the very sad news about ray. thank you for passing the news across dennis. ray had become so positive about his illness and, as others have said, i never met him but have 'known' him for many years both from pando site and from on here.
if you read these sue, remember the good times you both had. he will still be there with you when you think of him.

r.i.p. ray

mavis x

[Wina G]

So sorry to hear the sad news

[Manoverboard]

That is so sad, we were all routing for him to beat it .... sadly we failed.

My, and Mobietta's sincere condolences to you, Sue and your family.