HOST OF CANUCKS ALUMNI SUITE AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME
By Greg Douglas
Ray DeJulius has grown accustomed to assignments in high places.
As a teenager, he was in charge of turning out banks of floodlights from his perch on the roof of Empire Stadium following BC Lions games.
Today, some 60 years later, he shuts off the lights in the Alumni Suite high above ice level at Rogers Arena following Vancouver Canucks home games.
“I guess you could say I’ve reached the height of my part-time jobs,” DeJulius jokes. “It’s been quite a journey.”
A Notre Dame High School quarterback and one-time hot goaltending prospect in Lower Mainland junior hockey circles, DeJulius opted for a sales and advertising career that was kick-started with the NHL Canucks during their infant years at the Pacific Coliseum.
It was familiar territory for him, having been born and raised in East Vancouver and working a number of jobs as a youngster for his uncle Mario Caravetta, a popular manager in various capacities at the PNE.
From selling ice cream, peanuts and programs, Ray graduated to full-time work for Canucks Publishing under then-manager John Whitman, a longtime member of the Vancouver Canucks Alumni Association.
“Back in those days we also sold program ads through Canucks Publishing for the Lions and Whitecaps,” DeJulius says. “They were all printed by what was then Mitchell Press in Vancouver on West 1 st Avenue, a beehive of activity year-round.”
It was in 1976 when management at CKLG Radio lured DeJulius from the hockey scene to broadcast sales. From there, a lengthy and successful career unfolded as a sales rep for Andre Wines, Brights Wines and eventually Okanagan Spring Brewery.
Along the way, DeJulius remained active in minor hockey circles that led to a pleasant working relationship when Darcy Rota was part-owner and general manager of the Coquitlam Express of the BC Hockey League. Ray volunteered in many areas, and a bond developed that Rota never forgot.
DeJulius came highly recommended by Rota and Dennis Kearns when original Alumni suite manager Craig Lennon suffered a lengthy illness that sadly led to his passing in November 2020. Rota and Kearns were Canucks teammates in the 80’s and both have been respected Alumni contributors for many years.
“In our first year in the BCHL we sought a volunteer coordinator, and I immediately identified Ray as my first choice,” Rota says. “He performed exceptionally well in that role. Similarly, when we needed a Canucks Alumni host, Ray’s qualifications made him an ideal candidate. The Board of Directors concurred and he has since continued to excel in that position. He’s widely regarded as respectful, helpful and kind.”
Kearns was playing golf in Palm Springs at Mission Hills when he took a call from John Chesman, treasurer of the Canucks Alumni Association at the time. “He wanted to thank me for making the recommendation to hire Ray,” Kearns says. “John could be hard to please at times and hearing from him made my day,”
Canucks Alumni executive director Robin Wyss, who works closely with DeJulius on game night preparations in the suite, chimes in with these thoughts:
“Ray stepped in under some difficult circumstances and has handled things very well. He knows the routine and has added his own touch in areas that have proven to be popular among our Alumni suite guests. His level of customer service is excellent.”
DeJulius delights in working with Canucks ambassadors Kirk McLean, Dave Babych, Jyrki Lumme and Chris Higgins. “They’re a fun bunch of guys and I can’t say enough about all the other Alumni members who make visits to the suite. I love keeping active and there’s no better place to be than seeing the guys throughout the hockey season.”
Obviously, the feeling is mutual on all fronts.