Ray Bushell of Euro-Cast loses battle with cancer

Ray Bushell, well-known entrepreneur who founded Euro-Cast in Carver Street, sadly passed away aged 76 after a six month battle with cancer. Euro-Cast (Birmingham) was one of Europe’s leading casting companies and was established 45 years ago. Bushell began his career in the jewellery trade shortly after leaving school at the age of 15. He went on to study gemmology, mounting, setting, polishing and jewellery design in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham. He started his career as a gem setter. Some years later, Ray established his own jewellery manufacturing company, which was situated in Hockley, the jewellery district of Birmingham. Ray went on to create Euro-Cast which he ran with a team of staff. Alongside the casting business, Ray developed and designed a vast range of his own finished charms, which were cast in silver and gold. Euro-Cast produced over 3000 different designs and covered all kinds of themes, such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine and a complete range of Olympic sports for London 2012. The range consisted of many solid and moveable finished charms, including ones which opened and closed. Bushell cast for many designer jewellers, including one-off designs. He also advised and helped many young people along the way. Some four years ago, Bushell sold his casting business and decided to retire at the age of 72. He had a love of travel and over the years with his wife Lorraine, visited the Galapagos, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia and much of Europe. He was learning to ski when he met Lorraine in 1985 and went skiing both in Europe and the USA, later on cruising all over the world. His staff paid wonderful tributes to him, including former employee Val, who worked for him 45 years ago. She said: “I am so, so sorry to hear that the world has lost such a lovely human. For me personally he was a loving friend through many years and truly kept me in this world when I was in despair. Angie (who also worked for him) sends her deepest sympathy, as do I.”