A Tribute to a Prince – September 25 2026 Marks the Third Month of the Demise of Glen Hillery Ragell – by Perry (Canada)
Three Months is not adequate to get over the loss of an Amazing Human being who lived on this Planet for Eight Decades & One Year.
Just a year older than me Glen Hillery Ragell was an Elder Brother to me but a Godfather to my Family when we first landed in the Land of The Royals [LOR] on a windy day in May 1996.
I previously visited the LOR to face the similar heartbreaking two weeks which Glennie’s adorable Children Rozanne, Sharon & Gavin and his Soft Spoken Spouse Dhapne were facing 34 years years later when my vibrant Younger Brother fondly called Yogi left this Planet one week before his 40th Birthday
Glennie and I met as train travellers in early 1968 when he boarded the train at Dehiwela Station and I was travelling from Mt Lavinia to Fort. Glen was at Bristol Agencies as a Wharf Clerk and I was in the Accounts Dept of the then Prestgious Britsh Engineering Company Walker Sons & Co Ltd.
We used to exchange the famous Perry Mason & James Hadley Chase Novels of that era. Our acquaintance then evolved into a very great and long lasting friendship.
Glen invited us to his home for week end Pound & Pint parties and we met his Spouse the Late Mavis, an outgoing personality, the Secertary to the General Manager of the People’s Bank. Glen & Mavis were very good dancers and he was the DJ rendering the popular dance music late into the night. Ironically having down sized just before Covid I now live in an apartment in Mississauga 15 mts away from Toronto Airport at the corner of Eglinton & Mavis – the name that will linger on in our minds!!!!!
Glen & Mavis had a Son Gavin Ragell and he chose me to be the GodFather. Gavin I believe was the oldest of the many children who used to attend my Daughter Yvette’s Birthday parties in Moratuwa and played a key role at the garden games. I am proud that 50 years on my God Son Gavin is a disciplined Gentleman and a very good conversationalist although we seldom meet
During the train travels one day I suggested that Glen apply to Walker Sons & Co Ltd & soon he was reporting to the famed Senior Citizen of Melbourne Australia the Late Charles Schokman.
Like the ‘Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” in the Wharf Department Glen had some lovely Damsels in Lorraine Kenuman who called me a “Cradle Snatcher” as I was courting her Elocution Student Yasmin Cheryl Anne Perera now my Soulmate for 49 Years, the “Elusive Lady” Sheila Waidyaratne of Guelph & the “Bubbly Lady” Myrtle Soysa.
My stay @ Walkers Sons was short lived and on the Birthday of my pet Sister Annette Rajeswarie I took to wing to our Second Home the Sultanate of Oman on May 3 1975. With some “Wastha” – influence in the Royal Oman Police Glennie joined their Payroll Dept.
When Glen & I were on holiday in Sri Lanka at the same time he visited our home in Moratuwa with Mavis on his Yamaha Motor Bike.
He soon taught me how to ride the MotorBike.
When I permanently settled Yasmin & Yvette in November 1999 and went back to Oman for a further three years, Glen used to swing by our apartment to look up my family. In my next holiday I gifted Glen a Qualcom Mobile Phone with the Number 416 895 6867 which he diligently used till his departure from this planet.
Glen was very popular amongst the community and he and I had the same streaks to help anyone and everyone. I diligently followed the Creed of the Ratmalana Jaycees ” Service to Humanity is the Best Way of Life”
Between us we always said “Joe helps Pete or Pete helps Joe” when we reached out to each other to help someone in need.
After Glen’s return from an enjoyable holiday in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean we heard with sadness that he was diagnosed with an ailment that was rapidly affecting his mobility.
We had to get an appointment through the courtesy of Gavin to visit his Dad. It was very painful to see our evergreen and vibrant Glen stretched out on the couch with his speech fading. As we were to leave my Daughter Yvette expressed her “Grateful Thanks” to her Godfather by gently kissing him on his forehead bidding him “The Last Farewell”. I was emotionally affected by her lovely deed.
Yasmin and I had another opportunity to visit Glen with our friends Tyronne & Naomi for Georgia Atlanta where Glen looked much better
I witnessed my young Brother Yogi’s painful suffering in 1992 where I prayed to the Good and Merciful Lord to take him away before I leave for Oman. My prayers were answered and I stayed a further week to hear the last hymn sting my heart that tore me to pieces and break down with emotions to the strains of “How Great Thou Art”. I still get emotionally affected when Gold FM plays this.
I did not want my Dear Friend Glen to suffer which was emotionally draining the family. On June 24 2026 I reached out to Rosebud De Mel the former Secretary of St Bridget’s Past Pupil’s Association Canada whom I had the privilege to meet in September 2025 with her Brother Rev Fr Dr Louis Navaratne from the Monastery at Michigan when he visited Canada to pray for Glen that he should not suffer anymore.
The Power of Fr Louis’ Prayers yielded the desired result and I learnt from my God Son Gavin his Dad Glen Hillery Ragell bid farewell to all around him peacefully on June 25 2026.
I would never have been able to say this story on a Podium as an Eulogy. So I took recourse to pay my Tribute to a Prince – An Amazing Human Being The Ever Lived On Planet three months later as he Rests in tghe Safe Arm of the Risen Lord.
I have chosen this clip to relay my sentiments to my Glennie Boy “Glen To Glen – Danny Boy!!!!! sung by my favourite Idol Jim Reeves https://www.facebook.com/reel/827542816681066 – Blessings –
On another note Rev Fr Dr Louis Naratne will be offering the Holy Mass on Sunday the 27 September, at 9:30am – at St. Benedict Monastery, Oxford, Michigan. It will be his GOLDEN JUBILEE Mass – celebrating 50 Years of Priesthood. Hope you can join (at least in Spirit) to THANK the Lord for all the Blessings he and others have received thru all these past 50 years of Ministry.
