Raymond Whitehead

Ray Whitehead Obituary

Raymond Leslie Whitehead died peacefully in his sleep at 91 years of age at Kensington Hospice on October 7th 2025.

The eighth of ten children, Ray was born November 17th 1933 in Buffalo, New York. He married his beloved wife Rhea in 1957, attended Union Seminary (NYC), and then studied Cantonese at Yale University before moving to Hong Kong in 1961. Ray and Rhea raised their three children in Hong Kong, where Ray was involved in social justice ministry and active in the anti-Vietnam war movement. The family moved to Toronto in 1976, where Ray continued church-related work, including as director as the Doctor of Ministry programme at the Toronto School of Theology, and as Dean of Theology at the University of Winnipeg. In retirement Ray taught at Silliman University (Philippines) and Nanjing Union Theological Seminary (China).

Always active, Ray enjoyed hiking, cycling, rowing, canoeing, scuba diving, and volleyball. Up until the Covid pandemic, he cycled twice a week to the University of Toronto Athletic Centre to work out. He was an avid supporter of the arts, holding season tickets to the Toronto Symphony, Tafelmusik, and the Canadian Opera Company. A steadfast baseball fan, Ray was enjoying the Blue Jays’ success in his final days.

Relationships were central to Ray’s life, and he had a wide global network of treasured friends and colleagues of all ages. He cherished time with extended family and friends at his cottage on Beaver Lake. He maintained strong connections with Chinese theologians. He enjoyed leading Canadian friends, many of them descendants of West China missionaries, on tours to China. He was deeply committed to the Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church community, and later in life also supported the Toronto Chinese United Church.

Ray, predeceased by Rhea in 2011, is lovingly remembered by his daughters Cynthia (Brian), Beth (Hugh), and Sara (Mark); his grandchildren Eli (Michaela) and Ben (Andee) and their father Philip, and Clare (Oliver) and great-granddaughter Brynn; and numerous Whitehead and Menzel relatives.

The family is grateful for his many care providers, including his doctor Brad Lichtblau at Women’s College Hospital, personal support workers Michelle Maniulit and Belle Penaranda, and Dr Tavis Apramian and the wonderful palliative care team at Kensington Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Raymond Whitehead’s honour to Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church (https://www.trinitystpauls.ca/donate/) or the Hospice and Palliative Care Program at Kensington Health (kensingtonhealth.org/donate/tribute gift).

Details about the memorial service will be shared on this website in the next few days.