Ray St. Germain obit

Well-known Winnipeg musician passes away

 

He was not on the list.

A well-known Winnipeg Metis musician has died.

Ray St. Germain, who recently had a St. vital street renamed in his honour, passed away Tuesday at Deer Lodge Care Home.

St. Germain spent several years dealing with the effects of Parkinson's, peacefully passing away while surrounded by friends and family earlier today.

Ray recorded several albums over his decades long career, including a few Christian albums.

Ray leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Glory, and his five children, Chrystal, Catherine, Ray Jr., David and Sherry.

"Together, we spent our lives filled with music, love, and laughter," said his wife in a post on Facebook. "We are deeply grateful to all the musicians who have shared the stage with Ray, contributing to his unforgettable performances and his television series. Your collaboration has not only brought joy to our lives but has also been instrumental in recognizing his numerous awards throughout his illustrious career."

A funeral will take place on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

Ray was 83 years old.

He was the 2006 federal Liberal candidate for the Winnipeg Centre constituency and the presenter for the 1969 Canadian variety television series Time for Living. In 2005, he released his autobiography, I Wanted to Be Elvis, So What Was I Doing in Moose Jaw?.

St. Germain wrote, produced, and hosted the nationally syndicated and award-winning show Big Sky Country that aired for 13 years on the Global Television Network. He worked with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), producing and hosting the series Rhythms of the Métis. He was a voice actor for the children's series Tipi Tales that airs on the Treehouse Network and APTN. He was also a founding member of the Alberta Old Tyme Fiddlers' Association, which started the Grand North American Old Time Fiddle Championship.

St. Germain hosted over 600 television shows on CBC Television, Global Television Network, and APTN. He was an on-air personality and program manager with NCI-FM Radio for seven years and hosted a program Métis Hour X2 on Saturday mornings for the Manitoba Métis Federation. He entertained Canadian Forces stationed overseas with concerts in Germany, Israel, and Cyprus.

St. Germain received awards for his contributions to Canadian culture, including the Order of Manitoba, Aboriginal Order of Canada, the Order of the Sash – Saskatoon and Prince Albert, and a spot on the Aboriginal Wall of Honour in the Winnipeg Friendship Centre. He was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in September 2010.