Raymond "Ray" Charles Rewold

Raymond Charles “Ray” Rewold, 74 of Alanson, died May 2, 2022 at the Hiland Cottage Hospice House.

 

Ray was born on September 22, 1947 in Detroit, MI, the son of Herbert and Mary (Breyer) Rewold. 

 

In 1974, Ray began his career as a Park Ranger at the Wilderness State Park, a position he held until his retirement in 2011.  During his first years at the park, he met Carole Vredeveld who was camping there at the time and in 1979 the two were married in Ann Arbor.  Together they shared their love of camping as they traveled the country.  They stayed in many State and National Parks.  However, no matter where they traveled, Ray would always say “Northern Michigan will always be my home”.  Likewise, Ray and Carole would also take part in one of Ray’s greatest passions, reenacting.  For 45 years, Ray donned the Persona of 1750’s French Fur Trader and as a Commander of the French Marines during the French and Indian War.   Ray traveled to schools and various historical sites in Michigan and across the county East of the Mississippi, portraying his roles and explaining to those in attendance about the life of the individual and the history surrounding them.  In 1986, Ray and Carole began building their traditional French Post and Beam home and moved to the area full time.  After all, a traditional French style home is needed for period French historical items.

 

Ray was an ultimate fan of the Lake Superior State Hockey Team.  He attended all their home games and would travel to many of the away games.  He loved to cheer his team on by waving the LSSU flag.   He will be greatly missed by all those who knew, and loved him.

 

He is survived by his wife, Carole; 4 sisters, Margaret (Tony) Chaudhuri, Barbara (Bill) Coleman, Nancy (Jamie) Tatarek, and Catherine (Kirk) Swiantek; 11 nieces and nephews; and 15 great nieces and nephews.

 

In lieu of ordering any flowers or planting of any trees, those wishing to honor Ray’s life and legacy are asked to make a donation to either: The Laker Hockey Program, Attn: Damon Witten, Lake Superior State University, 650 W. Easterday, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783 to be used for equipment or scholarships, or to Hiland Cottage of Petoskey, C/O the McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, 360 Connable Ave, Suite 3, Petoskey, MI 49770.

 

Ray's interment will be held on June 18th (Saturday) at 1:00PM at the Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey.  A celebration of life open house will take place immediately following at the Rewold home.