GIFFEN, Ray Brenton, 79, of Middleton, passed away peacefully in the small hours of Tuesday, December 2nd. Born in Halifax on November 3rd, 1935, he was the son of the late Ernest and Adelaide (Osborne) Giffen. Ray began his working career as an architectural draftsman, with positions in Halifax, Montreal, Port Hood, and eventually CFB Greenwood in 1962. Shortly after moving to the Annapolis Valley, he earned a teaching license and was offered a position as an architectural drafting instructor at the Annapolis Regional Vocational School, now the Annapolis Valley campus of the Nova Scotia Community College. He also served for 27 years as vice-principal. While his work at the School was engaging, Ray had always wanted to farm. With a young family, he and his wife, Sheila, purchased a home and large acreage in Melvern Square, where they operated a strawberry and beef farm until 1981. As a young man, Ray was a highly skilled athlete, with special interests in hockey, baseball, and curling. His passion for sports never left him, even once he was no longer able to play. He enjoyed golf and faithfully attended Acadia Axemen hockey games. In addition to sports, Ray had a deep commitment to community service, acting as a councillor for the Municipality of Annapolis County, and a devoted member of the Melvern Square United Baptist Church, and later the Middleton Baptist Church. He also served for many years as an auxiliary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Kingston Detachment. Ray is survived by his wife, Sheila (MacKay), daughters Cindy (David MacKinnon) of Wolfville, Jill (David) Poole of Windsor, and Karen (Don) Balcom of Nictaux; grandchildren Jill (Jay) Kubeck of Connecticut, Andrew Johnson (Boston), and Alexandra Giffen-Johnson (Halifax); great grandson Asa Kubeck (Connecticut); brother Len and his wife Anita (Milford), sister Elizabeth Vaughan and her husband Jerome (Greenwood), sister-in-law Peggy Giffen (Milford), and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Perry. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 2:00PM Saturday, December 20, 2014 in the Middleton Baptist Church with Rev. Danny Smith officiating. A reception for family & friends will follow the service. Interment will be held in Church Grove Cemetery, Melvern Square. Donations in his memory can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main St., (902) 825-3448. On-line guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com