Former SACRIFICE Manager Passes Away After Suffering Brain Aneurysm

Toronto metal icon Ray "Black Metal" Wallace has passed away after being in a coma following a brain aneurysm he suffered on November 15.

Ray managed SACRIFICE in the '80s/'90s and had close ties to Canadian metal legends ANVIL and RAZOR. He was also a local promoter, most recently organizing the original Rock 'N' Roll Heaven reunion party, and was working with Toronto's all-girl powerhouse SCARLET SINS.

Toronto music publicist Paula Danylevich, who had been a friend of Ray's for many years, has issued the following statement:

"It is with an extremely heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I deliver to all of Ray's friends the news we had all hoped we would never hear.

"At midnight tonight, Ray's mother, aunt and cousin, joined by nine of his friends including myself and the chaplin from Toronto Western Hospital held hands around Ray's bedside and prayed one last time for our friend and then said our final goodbyes. We popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and raised a glass to Ray in the waiting room as they prepared him for his journey.

"At 12:15am today Ray was taken to the operating room so that he could give the gift of life to MANY people. His organs will save many lives, something we know Ray would have wanted. He was the most selfless, giving person I have ever met.

"Arrangements for Ray's funeral will be announced shortly. Anyone wishing to donate to Ray's family in their time of need can find information on the 'Donations' thread on the 'ALL RIGHT THERE BLACK METAL' Facebook page or by emailing me directly at [email protected].

"For those of you who were unaware, Ray was the only person supporting his family and had recently moved home to take care of his mother and brother. His father, who suffered a stroke some time ago, has been in a nursing home since last year, and Ray was covering the expenses for this as well. Any donation amount will be so gladly appreciated by the Wallace family.

"I would like to extend my personal thanks to the 80+ friends who visited Ray over the past few days to support his family and to say their goodbyes. Ray's mother was comforted by the fact he had so many good friends.

"I would also like to personally thank the hospital staff in the ICU at Toronto Western Hospital, who were so supportive and flexible with the needs of his family and friends. The nursing staff were also amazed by the number of friends who supported his family. When his attending nurse asked me yesterday if Ray was a rock star, I just looked at him and smiled.

"God bless Raymond 'Black Metal' Wallace. He was one of a kind. He'll no doubt be running Heaven in no time! My heart is with all of you at this sad time."