PETER NORMAN RAY

Peter Norman Ray, born October 17, 1944, passed away on January 16, 2026, after a long cancer journey, with family by his side. Peter is survived by his wife, Irene Andrulis; daughters, Jocelyn and Laura; granddaughters, Mina and Marceline; siblings, Carolyn, Madeleine and Julie; and many nieces and nephews. Peter obtained his PhD in the Department of Medical Biophysics from the University of Toronto, then conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University before returning to Toronto. He was Head of Molecular Genetics in the Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children and Professor in Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto until his retirement. Peter established one of the world's first molecular diagnostic labs to offer testing for genetic diseases at SickKids, and the lab grew to become one of the largest paediatric molecular diagnostics facilities in North America. He and his many trainees and colleagues were known and respected internationally for their work. In addition to being a distinguished and innovative scientist, Peter was an exceptional home renovator and cook, an avid golfer and lifelong opera lover. He was a natural raconteur who regaled everyone at family occasions with jokes delivered in his characteristic sardonic style. Always engaging and witty, Peter will be greatly missed. Donations in his memory may be made to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario.