Dear friends,
We were informed about the very sad loss of a dear friend and colleague Ray Chavez.
There has always been a warm friendship between EPEA and her Australasian sister-organisation ACEA, of which Ray was the chair for many years.
A few years ago I met Ray when he invited EPEA at their national conference. It was an inspiring meeting, meant to strengthen the ties between dedicated professionals in education in prison worldwide.
I cherish my happy memories with him and I am grateful for his valuable footprint in prison education.
Annet Bakker
Chair EPEA

The following is by his successor Ron Wilson, who knows Ray much better than we do:

BY: Ron Wilson, President ACEA

It is with much sadness the Australasian Correctional Education Association (ACEA) notes the sad yet unexpected passing of Raymond (Ray) Chavez. Ray will be known by many of you for his tireless longstanding work in the Australasian corrections education sector.

At the recent ACEA AGM, Ray stepped down as President of the association, a position he held for many years and he was greatly respected for the passion, commitment and humour he brought to the Association.

Ray was first employed by the Department of Justice in 1984 and was a teacher at Fremantle, Canning Vale, Casuarina and Wooroloo Prisons before joining the Western Australian education management team.

He was a mentor to staff across the State, in other states and across nations in the field of correctional education.  His passing will be felt by his colleagues State-wide, across the country and internationally.

He battled cancer for the past few years and passed away after a short illness.

Source: https://acea.org.au/2020/04/death-of-valued-staff-member/