Ray Goeres was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in 1921, son of a Flemish (Luxembourg) father and an Irish mother. He spent the 20’s and 30’s in Stranraer, Saskatchewan and in Manitoba. In 1940 Ray arrived in Calgary and joined the army. In 1941 he joined the RCAF, being involved with them four years including time overseas. In November, 1945, he married Solveig (Sylvia) Hendrickson in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Ray was part of the Reserve in Vancouver from 1946 to 1951. Three children, two boys and one girl, were born during the time there. 1951 to 1964 found Ray once more part of the RCAF in Canada and France. From 1964 to 1975 he flew for Icelandic, Japan and Cargolux Airlines.
Ray and Sylvia discovered Canmore in 1946. They frequently camped and skied in the area. They came to the Bow Valley from Calgary in 1970 and found a house for sale in Harvie Heights. At this time Ray was still flying overseas in Europe. They finally moved here for good in 1975. Canmore was incorporated as a village in 1965. At this time it was a very quiet town. In the eighties things started to change. For one thing, streets and sidewalks were upgraded and other infrastructures as well. With the Olympics came exposure for the town as well as spin-offs such as sports facilities and increased tourism. Clubs I belonged To are the Royal Canadian Legion Three Sisters Branch No. 3, RCAF(SPAADS), Canmore Golf and Curling Club and Banff Pika Toastmasters.
Sylvia was born in Trysil, Norway, in 1922 to parents, Gilbert and Sina Hendrickson. The family re-immigrated to Canada in 1922/23. They farmed at Mazenod, Saskatchewan. Gilbert and Sina passed away in 1929 and 1932. Sylvia attended school at Ettington and Moose Jaw.
Brian Raymond Goeres was born in Vancouver, January 14, 1949. From 1951 to 1964 this “airforce brat” lived in Canada and the United States. He attended ten schools. He learned the barber trade in Calgary and opened a shop here in Canmore in 71-72, closing it in 1988. He has been employed by Parks Canada for the last ten years. His hobbies are music (guitar) and square dancing. Brian resides with his parents in Harvie Heights.
Brenda Sina Goeres is an employee of the town of Banff as the town clerk and resides in Canmore.
The elder son Patrick, is married to Sandra (Brody). They have a son Andrew, age nineteen, and daughter Laurel, age sixteen. They reside in Calgary.
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 98-99.
