Ray Oakley

As I recall it, we started at Caswell on the same day - 29th July 1968; me straight from school and Ray working on his PhD. Although we occasionally got involved in work-related projects, it wasn't until after Phoenix had been established that we reconnected. I was desperate to escape GEC and although I had nothing really to offer Phoenix, typically, Ray offered me a way out. As a result, we worked together to try an establish investments that Phoenix could make in existing or new businesses. This led to IRISYS being formed. I shall be eternally grateful to Ray for taking the huge risk of helping me out of Caswell, and then supporting the establishment of a new business. My sincere condolences to his family.

Farewell Elrond Roland, Kristella and Lappoy

I was sorry to hear of Ray’s death. I last met him over thirty years ago in Brussels during the spring of 1991 while attending my last EU Project Meeting before leaving Plessey. There was also an EU Technical Exhibition underway and Ray was trying to gain interest and support among the attendees for Phoenix VLSI. I first met him when I started at Caswell in 1975, given the job of developing fully decoded MNOS gate arrays on Silicon on Sapphire: MNOS was his technology, SOS my contribution. It worked. At that time Ray was the MOS Team Leader and Ken Perkins the Bipolar. Ray’s management era was characterised by opportunities to work on different silicon IC technologies, establish chip design rules and work with designers, try out new ideas for fabrication techniques and to be involved in the wider microelectronics community through collaborative projects and conferences. I always enjoyed working with him whether it was developing technology or being involved with collaborative projects. I found him sociable, supportive, had a good sense of humour, was full of ideas and business schemes and possessed a formidable intellect. I worked with him during the first half of my career, around sixteen years, but he was the most interesting and intellectually stimulating boss I have ever had.

so sad to hear of Rays Passing ,He was the most interesting next door neighbour we have had

I first met Ray over 20 years ago when, having been made redundant by GEC, he instructed me to form his first company Phoenix VLSI. I continued to act for him as his love of the entrepreneurial world grew and he became a successful businessman, and I would like to think that over that period he became more than just a client. Not many clients get nicknames, or get to know them anyway, and the fact that he used to answer to “The Speedwagon” (obviously based on his initials) suggests that he would agree.

I remember Ray both as my boss at Caswell and later as mentor when I set up my own small business in Towcester Mill alongside Phoenix. I twas always a pleasure when Ray paid ad hoc visits to my corner of the mill when we would chat about anything and everything, it being quite lonely running a one man business. Ray possessed the rare talent of being able to listen, regardless of subject or person. His theory was that whatever the topic, someone in his circle of friends would be an expert.

I m sorry for your loss, and share it in my own way. I have fond memories of Ray as my group leader at Caswell. So clever, but also interesting. There were always one or two amazing projects on the go. Not all got finished ! But plenty did - enough for a lifetime. Best wishes.

I am so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, Rachael and Robert. I didn’t know Ray well but I know he was very highly thought of by my Mum and Dad, and I have some lovely memories of our families spending happy times together during the summer at Crantock. You are both in my thoughts. Yvette