Scout leader passes away after illness

Scouting lost one of its most devoted and inspirational leaders on Monday with the passing of Ray McLeod.
Ray McLeod. INLM1212-153gcRay McLeod. INLM1212-153gc
Ray McLeod. INLM1212-153gc

Ray, who grew up in the Wood Lane area, was a leader with Second Lurgan Scouts and held positions of office at District, County and National level.

He devoted his life to Scouting and was also a skilled musician, who will be fondly remembered with his guitar, leading the campfire song at the many camps to locations at home and abroad which he organised for Lurgan boys with a passion for the great outdoors.

When he wasn’t planning or engaging in Scouting activities, Ray ran a music shop in Queen Street and released several albums in the seventies. Anyone in Lurgan who has ever picked up a musical instrument will no doubt have been made welcome in Ray’s shop and will be saddened to learn of the passing of one of the great characters of the town’s rich music scene.

Ray was a former science teacher at Lurgan Junior High School and a keen supporter of charity, particularly an orphanage set up by Richhill man Terry Lockhart in the Phillipines.

Ray passed away on Monday morning at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer.

His funeral will be on Thursday at 12noon at Hill Street Church.

Current and former Scouts from County Armagh and further afield will be providing a guard of honour for the well-respected Scout leader.

Members of the Scout organisation are asked, if possible, to wear their uniform to the funeral.

Ray is survived by his brother Denis and will be sadly missed by his brother and the family circle.