Raymond Charles Halliday

Ray was one of my favorite people ever, and certainly a favorite voice to sing with - from the buckets to the verms and everything in between. I am such a lucky person to have had him in my life. What a joy, that guy.

Just hearing his voice would make me chuckle a little and feel lighter, like he could commiserate. We played cards together with Dani and Kat when I lived in downtown Oakland after getting a divorce. He would play with my cat Mikey and when we got this new leather sofa and (very ashamedly), declawed our cat, Sheldon, Ray refused to sit on the sofa anytime he came over, in solidarity for Sheldon. Ray loved cats. I always think of him with Buster. I miss you, Ray!

Hadn't seen him in many years. Had more contact with his parents. It's sad we cousins lose contact through the years.

Photo's taken in 2019 of Ray Charles Halliday at the San Francisco Legion of Art Museum.

My first memory of Ray is back in 2018. I was out riding my bike around Treasure Island, San Francisco. I rode past the weekend flea market and someone yelled out my name. I looked around to see someone waving.
It was Ray. He recognized me from the groups we both attended during the week. At that point, I was the new guy in town and Ray made me feel good by acknowledging me as more than a stranger. I stopped, and we shook hands. He was with people waiting in line to get in to go shopping.

As time went on, we would meet at his place on a weekly basis with our mutual friends, Richard, and occasionally Kristen, for dinner and a movie. We referred to it as Netflix Night. We also had a book club that would meet once a month. I still have plans for a Shakespeare club, but it has yet to unfold.

Before the Pandemic, Ray and I had memberships at Fitness SF. We both enjoyed using their SOMA gym. That was definitely quality time, well spent, at least twice, if not 3 times a week. We would remind each other to go. We were also part of a group of people who work out together, known as Trainers Coalition. A social club within the gym, with outdoor workout events and lunch or dinner afterwards. Those were the days!!!

I personally didn't know Ray but I know his family.
Many people who touched his life as he did also.