"He was just great with everybody": PTW 21Nov01

Memorial service for 'Red Dog' Ray McGregor
on Nov. 26


It's Ray McGregor's guidance that Fred Carveth
will miss most.

"When there was a big decision, I always looked for
Ray," says Mr. Carveth, a longtime friend and
business partner of the man most commonly known as
"Red Dog Ray".

"Even after he retired, he would always stop by and
have a coffee and a doughnut," notes Mr. Carveth.

Mr. McGregor, the former popular owner of the Red Dog
Tavern on Hunter Street West, died Friday (Nov. 17)
at age 72 after a 15-year battle with lung cancer.

Mr. Carveth says there are many things he learned
from his long-time friend.

"He taught me the restaurant and hotel business," he
says.

"He knew what he was doing; his ideas were perfect.
He was really devoted to his business. Ray always
said no one looks after your business like yourself."

Born in St. Thomas, Mr. McGregor learned the food
business from his parents. He first came to
Peterborough many years ago and worked at his
parent's restaurant, Rendezvous, on George Street.

He later moved to the London area and continued in
the food service business at the Wellington House
before coming back to Peterborough in the early '70s
to be closer to his son Ed.

Mr. Carveth traveled back to Peterborough with him
and the two began working at the American House Hotel
for Gene Sheedy. In 1975, they bought the business
and never looked back.

The name "Red Dog" came from a nickname a young, red-
haired Mr. McGregor earned while in the navy reserve.
He and other red-haired reserve members gravitated
towards each other and adopted the name. He often
told them one day he would open a business and call
it the Red Dog.

Six years ago, just before Mr. McGregor's retirement,
he and Mr. Carveth sold the hotel part of the
business and Mr. Carveth then concentrated on the
food service side of the business.

"He was the best boss I ever could have had...the
best friend I ever could have had," says Mr. Carveth.

Yet, more than his business dealings, Mr. McGregor
was charity-minded, raising countless dollars over
the years for various causes.

One such cause was Mr. McGregor's Chubby Walk to
raise money for the Terry Fox Run.

"He used to go down George Street and collect money
in a pail," notes Mr. Carveth.

When he was diagnosed with cancer, his charity work
took on more personal meaning and he began raising
dollars to fight cancer. As Mr. Carveth notes, Red
Dog Ray never met a charity he didn't like.

Mr. McGregor's volunteer efforts earned him the Award
of Merit from the City of Peterborough and a place on
the Pathway of Fame in Del Crary Park.

His cancer was the reason he finally retired six
years ago when, after several operations, he couldn't
keep up with the work. His son Ed says retirement was
a nice change for father who had spent so much time
away from home.

"He had time to go home and do stuff. He was able to
work around the house more," says his son.

"Actually, retirement he looked forward to because he
was able to do more."

Carol King, his step-daughter, worked with Mr.
McGregor for a number of years. She says his success
can be attributed to having a great business sense, a
knack in the kitchen and, most importantly, a way
with people.

"He was just great with everybody," she says.

"He could be having the worst day of his life but he
wouldn't let you know."

He also gave many bands get their first shot at
performing.

"He was always giving (different bands) breaks," she
says.

Mr. Carveth remembers when a young band from Trent
University, calling themselves Prairie Oyster,
approached Mr. McGregor about performing at the Red
Dog.

"They were looking for a place to play and Ray gave
them a place. Then they got too good but they never
got too big to play the Red Dog."

Mr. McGregor is survived by his wife Mae, sons Ed and
Terry, daughter Carol, five grandchildren and three
great grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 26 at the
Northminster United Church at 11 a.m. and there will
be a benefit show at the Red Dog in the new year.

                        - 30 -