AS SURELY as the sun rises every day Raymond McQueen, known as "the man in white", will live on in the hearts of the Whitsunday community.

After being diagnosed with cancer in January, Raymond died peacefully on July 19 with his wife and family nearby. We hope he's found his "sanctuary".

Although he spent most of his life in Victoria, Raymond and his wife Anita Andrews spent part of their blissful and very blessed marriage in the Whitsundays.

He moved to Airlie Beach in 1995, became the owner of previous bookshop The Sanctuary at the Beach Plaza, was joined by Anita in 1997 and married her in 1998.

Close friend Maureen Conway described Raymond as a larger than life character "who wore a white shirt and shorts and years ago smoked a pipe".

"He was known as the man in white and always had the familiar scent of his signature aftershave Aramis," she said.

"Raymond was also known for his ability to comfort and guide people that came across his path. People from all walks of life, lifestyles and backgrounds found their way to The Sanctuary and left that little bookshop with their life enriched by Raymond's caring and understanding nature." Anita believes that under his guidance, it became the third largest bookstore of its genre in Australia.

Raymond lives on in his three children Justine, Ieuan and Mairwen, six grandchildren, his sister Anne and of course Anita.

A memorial for Raymond will be held in Airlie Beach around October and will be announced in the Whitsunday Times.

Anita has provided a photo of Raymond taken in 2014 before his diagnosis which she says "depicts the man I loved so very much".

May he rest in peace.