WPCA Mourns The Passing Of Former Driver Ray Croteau

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association is mourning the passing of former chuckwagon Driver Ray Croteau on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at the age of 91 years.

It was back in 1959 in the Lakeland that the chuckwagon legacy of the Croteau family was born with Ray Croteau. He mainly raced with the Northern Chuckwagon Racing Association, but also competed on a permit with the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association in the 1970's. When the WPCA was formed in 1981, Ray was a permit holder with the WPCA from 1982 to 1984 and again in 1987.

Well identified with the famous rainbow wagon, Ray won several shows throughout his career, most notably the Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1986. He raced at the Calgary Stampede from 1979 until his retirement in 1997, where was named the winner of the CPCA's Roy Bremner Memorial Award. He was a finalist at the Calgary Stampede in 1987, and was honored by the Calgary Stampede as a Pioneer of Rodeo in 2003.

Ray's son Bert and grandson Rae Jr. followed in Ray's footsteps and became champion chuckwagon drivers of their own. The Croteau family joins the Bensmillers as the only families to have 3 generations qualify for the championship final heat at the Calgary Stampede GMC Rangeland Derby. In 2016 the town of Bonnyville honored Ray and his family in a ceremony just prior to the start of the Bonnyville World Chuckwagon Races to officially retire the rainbow chuckwagon design.. 

Ray is lovingly survived by his seven children, fifteen grandchildren and twenty six great grandchildren.

Ray was predeceased by his wife: Thérèse Croteau nee Rivard on August 27, 2010; grandson: Evan Croteau; three brothers: Lucien Croteau, Paul Croteau, (infant brother) René Croteau; four sisters: Irene Croteau, Jeannette Croteau, Lucienne Croteau, Claire Bourbeau.

Prayer Service, Friday, November 8, 2019, at 7:30 p.m., St. Louis Roman Catholic Church, Bonnyville, AB. Mass of Resurrection, Saturday, November 9, 2019. Eulogy will be starting at 10:45 a.m. Mass starting at 11:00 a.m., St. Louis Roman Catholic Church with Father Rene Realuyo officiating. Final resting place, Holy Family Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bonnyville, AB.

Memorial tributes in memory of Raymond may be sent to Haying in the 30's, Box 35, Mallaig, AB T0A 2K0 or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, 17312-107 Ave, Edmonton, AB T5S 1E9.

Ray will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Croteau family.

Billy Melville

A night of celebration took take place on October 26th at the Grey Eagle Casino in Calgary with the 39th annual World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) Awards Gala that honored those who achieved greatness this past season, as well as those who have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the most exciting professional sport in the world today.

The evening was a tremendous success, with one of the highlights being the video presentations highlighting the 2019 season and all the champions who were well received by a near capacity crowd.

As well, the WPCA remembered those who "went west" over the past year which included active supporters Donald Cross, Dr. Gary Harbin, Ray Ostrom, Rick Smith and Wayne Scaddan, champion chuckwagon horse Comet, and former competitors Terry Vigen and Hugh Greenwood.

Kurt Bensmiller was the top honoree this year as he captured the 2019 World Chuckwagon Championship for the 3rd consecutive year and the 4th time in his illustrious career, and Rory Gervais was the 2019 World Champion Outrider for the for the second consecutive year. 

2019 World Champion Outrider Rory Gervais (L) receives a trophy buckle from WPCA President Ed Wittchen (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

The Jim Bottomley Trophy given to the WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year is the WPCA’s highest annual honor. This year’s recipient being WPCA Marketing Manager Bryan Hebson receiving the prestigious award.

The 2019 "Jim Bottomley Trophy" for WPCA Chuckwagon Person of the Year was presented to recipient Bryan Hebson
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

The George Normand Lifetime Builder's Award was given to former driver Jerry Bremner who accepted the award in an emotional speech.

The 2019 George Normand Lifetime Bilder's Award was presented to recipient Jerry Bremner (L) and his wife Donna Bremner (C) from WPCA President Ed Wittchen (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

The WPCA Special Tribute was given to former chuckwagon great Hugh Sinclair. Vern Nolin received the WPCA Clean Drive Award for least penalized driver for the second consecutive year.

Wendy Daniel (L) of the Ranchmans Cookhouse and Dance Hall presents a commemorative statue to former driver Hugh Sinclair (R) for being recognized with the 2019 WPCA Special Tribute Award.
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

The Herman Flad Memorial Award for Most Improved Driver went to sophomore driver Josh Hrynuik, while Rory Armstrong received the Rod Glass Memorial Award for Most Improved Outrider. 

Josh Hrynyk (L), the recipient of the Herman Flad Memorial Award revives a trophy buckle from chuckwagon driver Troy Flad (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

Rory Armstrong (L), the recipient of the Rod Glass Memorial Award revives a trophy buckle from Loreena MacGillivray (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

Chance Flad was named the WPCA's Top Rookie Driver, and Hayden Motowylo was named the WPCA Top Rookie Outrider.

Chance Flad L), the recipient of the WPCA Top Rookie Driver revives a trophy buckle from  Shelby Lockwood of Olson Silver Company (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

Hayden Motowylo (L), the recipient of the WPCA Top Rookie Outrider receives a trophy buckle from Cynthia Williams of                           William Joseph Communications (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

The horses also shared in the awards through the WPCA Equine Outfit of Excellence. Equine outfit of Excellence winners included “JACK” of Logan Gorst’s outfit on Right Lead, “HAWK” of Vern Nolin’s outfit on Left Lead, “TEX” of Chanse Vigen’s outfit on Right Wheel, “LUTESIFER” of Kurt Bensmiller’s outfit on Left Wheel, and “NIGHTLY” of Doug Irvine’s outfit and “Barb” of Mark Sutherland’s outfit were the champion Outriding Horses.

Outrider Eddie Melville (2nd from right) from Import Tool Corp. Ltd., presents the 2019 Equine Outfit of Excellence Awards to:

(L-R): Rory Gervais on behalf of Mark Sutherland's horse "BARB,"

Britt and Doug Irvine on behalf of his horse “NIGHTLY,”

Rochelle Normandin on behalf of Chanse Vigen's horse “Tex.”

Kurt Bensmiller on behalf of his horse "LUTESIFER,"

Brendan Nolin on behalf of Vern Nolin's horse “HAWK,” 

Logan Gorst on behalf of his horse "JACK,"

Jenifer Dorchester (C), the recipient of the Ty Tournier Memorial Award revives a trophy bracelett from Lynn Fountain (L) and Steve Fountain (R).
Photo By Fred Vidiuk

Other award winners included Walter Fritsche, Nathan Stone, Gina Berreth and Precede who each received a WPCA Active Supporter Award, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino received the WPCA Top Race Committee Award, Jamie Tiessen received the WPCA Media Award, Jenifer Dorchester  received the Ty Tournier Memorial Award, while Lyle Bates and Harvey McKernon received Special Recognition from the WPCA.

The event, hosted by track announcer Jodi Hughes was a tremendous success, and congratulations to all the 2019 champions and award winners.

Billy Melville