9 July 1951 - 26 December 2023

Raymond (Ray/Icy) Canham was born to Robert and Margorie Canham and was the third eldest son. 

Growing up with his siblings, Jack, Robert, Larry, Dianne and Patrick, Ray was a young lad who did not particularly fancy school as his mischievous personality seemed to find ways to always get him into trouble. 

Leaving school early, it turned out that horses would play a huge role in Ray’s life, even so far as bestowing his lifelong alias upon him when as a child he was the only tider to tame a deviant pony named “Ice Cream” at a local rodeo, after which the name “Icy” just stuck.

As a 15 year old, Icy was plucked from the crowd at a race meeting to have his first ride. Icy was then apprenticed to Johnny Lundholm for the next two years. 

The next stage of Icy’s life saw him shearing around New South Wales and Victoria before making a comeback to race riding in the 1970s.

Icy rode hundreds of winners during his riding career which came to end in the 1980s where a fall left Icy with a badly broken leg.

PHOTO: Icy and Judy loved dancing. Pictured here at a local ball.

During these years Icy met and married his beautiful wife Judy and welcomed his first son Darrin (Dudes) and four years later his second son Rick.

Icy was a keen fisherman and yabby trapper and enjoyed sharing his passion for fishing with his boys spending many weekends by the riverbank. 

The boys learned valuable life lessons by the river including ‘how to tell a good yarn’ and ‘that the Roosters are the best footy team’ whilst the first lesson was well received, the last one didn’t seem to stick.

Icy was a well-known socialite, not only around his hometown, but anywhere he went. A casual meeting with Icy at a pub or a race meeting meant you were now friends for life, never to be forgotten.

His friends, new and old would remember him too, during many, many trips away from home, his sons recall their mum after hearing “Hey Icy!” from an apparent stranger respond, “Really? We can’t take you anywhere”.

After Icy’s riding career, he took up a role as a Starter with Western Racing Association, which lasted well over 30 years. He did this alongside working for Coonamble Shire Council.

PHOTO: The Canham family: Judy, Icy, Darrin and Rick (front)

Icy enjoyed a wonderful and loving life with his wife and boys and was thrilled when his sons welcomed their own children, his beloved grandchildren.

Icy was a true gentleman and could not do enough to help those in his life, his infectious personality and cheecky, dry wit made Icy one of the most likeable people around.

Icy left a wonderful impression on everyone he met from the youngest of kids to the oldest of souls. He has been described as “a legend” and this could not be more true of a man who was able to fit 150 years of life into his 72 years.

Icy was farewelled by a large crowd at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on 11 January, followed by a private cremation.