Ray Edwin Powell

Queen Elizabeth was rumored to have considered Powell for knighthood until it was discovered that he had retained his US citizenship and not become a Canadian, despite living in Canada for the last 45 years of his life.

After retiring from Alcan in 1957 at age 70, Powell became the 10th Chancellor of McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and held this top position until 1964.

He was survived by his wife, Cecile Smith Powell (1899-2000), four children (Robert, Mary, Cynthia and Andrew) and 16 grandchildren.

His daughter Mary is the wife of David M. Culver, who spent his career at Alcan, retiring as Chairman and CEO in 1989.

Alcan named one of its large vessels that transported bauxite, the raw material used to make aluminum, the "SunRip" as a tribute to Powell.

[2] Mount Powell, a peak in British Columbia, was named in his honor after he developed the Kitimat smelter facility for Alcan in that province.