I Was lucky enough to meet Ray in Liverpool in the late Eighties, where we were both studied Graphic design. He probably wouldn’t thank me for sharing with you that he strolled in on that first day wearing a chunky white knitted jumper with Mickey Mouse on the front. His dress sense soon improved. Ray was outgoing friendly and extremely talented. His skills as a draughtsman were evident from day one. He toyed with the idea of transferring to fashion as he wanted to pursue a career as a fashion illustrator but stuck with Graphic Design. Ray was driven and was always going to reach the top, whatever career he chose. On completion of his degree Ray applied and got in to the newly formed, one year course at Kingston in film and television. In order to pay for the course and to buy his first set of wheels Ray worked nightshifts at a supermarket and on the Butchers counter. Ray was never afraid of hard work, and they were keen for him to become a manager. Around this time Ray was living in Clapham and going out with my partners older sister, Lindsay. I was working freelance and Ray was looking for his first break in film. It was hard to break into an industry that was pretty tight knit. I remember seeing some early storyboards and being blown away by his talent. It would take time and much perseverance but he was always going to reach the top. In between jobs there would be down time, and that’s when I spent the most time with Ray. He moved in with Lindsay who had bought a small flat in Balham and set about transforming the flat. It was clear he was not just a dab hand with a pencil but also pretty handy with a drill and a saw. He gave me the confidence to give it a go and when I moved in with Lindsay’s sister Becky, he was only too willing to help us out. Ray was generous to a fault, nothing was ever too much. He taught Becky to drive, he drove us to hospital when when we were expecting our first child. He could never do enough and never more so when you went to his to eat. He was a brilliant cook, loved his food and ther was always a splendid spread and no one’s glass was ever empty It’s hard to believe he won’t be here this Christmas. Work took him away from home and family a lot , but when he was home he was never happier gardening, cooking, washing his cars, hoovering or cleaning the kitchen. He was fastidious. He loved his two boys and Lindsay dearly and they loved him. The last time I saw him before he fell Ill was at his sons wedding. He was beaming and so proud. That old smile was back, happy and relaxed We talked about old times and shared some old photos from back in the day. After Rays first stroke I got in touch with our old college friends to say Ray was not well. Each and everyone was in shock devastated by the news. All exclaiming how they thought we’d all get together one day and catch up Each shared anecdotes and remembered Ray with real fondness We will miss Ray terribly, taken from the family far too soon. But I’m so grateful for knowing him and being able to call him, not only a friend but my brother in law too.