Raimo Johannes (Ray) Kokkonen of Trout Brook, passed away peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital on June 12, 2025, at the age of 83. Born in Finland on Sept 21, 1941, he was the son of Anna-Liisa and Timo Kokkonen.

Ray began his career in uniform at the 2310 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1954. He participated for four years prior to joining the Canadian Army, attending summer camps in Ipperwash and Borden, and achieved the rank of Cadet Major.

 In 1967 Ray met the love of his life, Shirley (McNeill), in Petawawa, Ontario. They were married in 1971. Together they worked in many locations across the country; Petawawa, Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto, and retired in the Miramichi.

In addition to his military duties, he was deeply involved in the sport of Biathlon since 1967 as he took part in nine Olympic Games in an official capacity, including being the Biathlon Competition Chief in the 1988 Calgary Games. He served as the President and Board Chairman of Biathlon Canada for 14 years and later as the President of Biathlon NB for 20 years. Internationally, in the International Biathlon Union (IBU), he was a senior technical official and elected functionary for 35 years of which he was the Rules Committee Chair for 18 years and also the Congress Speaker for six years during the same period. His last position was as the elected Auditor of the IBU for 17 years. He was also selected as an Olympic Torchbearer prior to the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. Through all his biathlon initiatives he and Shirley travelled to Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, and the former East Germany at exactly the time when the two halves of Germany reunited in 1990.

 Prior to his passing, he was the Honorary President of Legion Branch #10, Immediate Past National President and Membership Director, and Miramichi Chapter President of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association (CPVA), a veteran’s organization with Chapters throughout the country. He was a member of the Veterans Affairs Ministerial Advisory Group and participated in many veterans’ advocacy meetings with the Minister and other senior Veterans Affairs officials. Additionally, he was the Parade Commander for 16 years for the Remembrance Day parades held in Newcastle. 

 For his work for veterans and in sport, Ray has received numerous awards, including:

 The International Biathlon Union Medal of Honour in Gold, Induction into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, Canadian Forces Sports Hall of Fame and the Sport Officials Canada Hall of Fame, The Order of New Brunswick, Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation and Veterans Ombudsman’s Commendation, The Queen’s Silver, Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals, Canada 125 Medal, Canada 150 Community Leadership Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Canada Certificate of Merit and Alberta Achievement Award, Miramichi Sports Wall of Fame, And many other lesser organizational awards

Ray is survived by his brother, Pekka (Peter), sister Pirjo Spina both of Ontario, brother-in law Raymond McNeill and many loving animals. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Shirley; parents Anna-Liisa and Timo Kokkonen.

At Rays request, there will be no visitation or Funeral Service. A Celebration of Life will be held in Ray’s honour at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10. 345 Campbell St., Miramichi on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, from 4 pm - 6:30 pm with Legion Service at 6:00 pm.

In memory of Ray, donations can be made out to a memorial of one’s choice. Messages of condolence can be sent through the funeral home’s website: www.miramichifunerals.ca

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Jardine Funeral Home & Crematorium, 597 Old King George Highway, Miramichi, NB. Telephone: 506-622-3600 or 506-622-7464.