79-year-old Gastown Steam Clock builder ‘gravely injured’ on the job

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The man who built Gastown’s steam clock has been ‘gravely injured’ on the job at age 79.

An online fundraiser has been set up for Raymond Lee Saunders who is in hospital after falling off a ladder while working on a clock in Delta on Sept. 12.

Saunders, nicknamed ‘Father Time,’ was seriously injured breaking multiple bones, suffering internal injuries, and requiring three separate surgeries.

His recovery is expected to be lengthy, and some of the funds raised will be used to buy equipment to make his home accessible so he can return there to recover.

“Gastown’s Steam Clock is enjoyed by millions of people every year, but Ray has never received royalties from any of the millions of photos, album covers, t-shirts and other things displaying the images of his most famous clock. He has also spent tens of thousands of his own money and time on this and other clocks, without compensation, for the love of providing Landmark clocks for the enjoyment of the public,” the fundraiser says.

The goal is $100,000. Some of the money will go to hiring people to maintain his clocks, and the rest will cover his basic living costs, giving him the option of retiring.

“We would like to give him the gift of a worry-free retirement, one where he does not feel compelled to get up on ladders to make a living and pay his bills. Ray Saunders has contributed a huge amount to the City of Vancouver in his landmark public clocks. Other companies have benefited and still benefit from using his Trademarked image. We think it is fitting that he gets the true payback of his tireless years of work: the gift of time,” the page says.

Saunders has built over 250 clocks, including steam clocks in Australia, Indianapolis, Japan.