February 7, 1951 – April 30, 2020
Richard passed away, peacefully in his sleep at the Hospice Wellington after a short battle with cancer.
Richard was a caring and supportive partner of Anne Jenner for 26 years, and a loving father to Megan and Robyn Smith and his two sons-in-laws Micah Gordon and Craig Tremblay. His two grandchildren Milica and Lachlan will remember their Papa with fondness. He will be missed by his in-laws, Wendy Hamilton-Smith, Brian Jenner, Holly Dunn and her husband David Bastedo. Richard and Anne always appreciated the love and friendship they received from Bruce and Alberta Tomkins and their children, Leah, Brent and their families.
Richard grew up in St. Thomas Ontario and left home at 18 to join the Canadian Armed Forces. After boot camp he joined the navy and served on the HMCS St. Croix and the HMCS Provider in the Pacific. He was seconded for a short time to the USA Navy stationed out of Alemda, California as a Canadian Navigation Specialist. Upon leaving the Canadian Navy, Richard lived in Victoria, British Columbia prior to moving to Ontario to work in telecommunications with Algonquin College in Ottawa, and successfully completed courses delivered by Nortel. In 1992, he completed a Post-graduate program with Sheridan College for Telecommunication Management. The last position he held before he retired in 2011 was with William Osler Health Centre supporting hospitals and health clinics in Brampton, Georgetown and Etobicoke as a Telecommunication Specialist.
When Richard found Anne, he came without any family and with her and her two girls he found a home. Richard relished his role as a father and a Papa. He lived in Guelph, Cambridge and Kitchener over the last 26 years supporting his “adopted” family. Richard was a man of the utmost integrity who was intelligent and technically minded with a great sense of humour. He was passionate about and protective of those he loved. Later in his life, he rediscovered his love of motorcycling and took many trips around Ontario and in the USA. Richard, Anne and the girls had many enjoyable times at several trailers during the summers. Richard loved music and a close friend once said “is there any topic that you can’t put to song” which he indicated no there wasn’t.
Richard received exceptional services and medical treatment during his illness from the Grand River Cancer Centre and through the home palliative care team, who helped him remain at home as long as possible. Richard’s final days were spent at Hospice Wellington in Guelph. The calm, dedicated, empathetic and compassionate staff went above and beyond to make his final weeks as pleasant and comfortable as could be. They were so creative in providing methods and ways for him and his spouse, Anne to keep connected with family through these challenging pandemic times.
Richard was a truly unique and memorable person and will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once this covid 19 pandemic is finally over. One of Richard’s last wishes was that individuals who wished to make memorial donations to do so to Hospice Wellington - https://www.hospicewellington.org/donate or call 519-836-3921.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Richard's obituary notice on Facebook.
Richard passed away, peacefully in his sleep at the Hospice Wellington after a short battle with cancer.
Richard was a caring and supportive partner of Anne Jenner for 26 years, and a loving father to Megan and Robyn Smith and his two sons-in-laws Micah Gordon and Craig Tremblay. His two grandchildren Milica and Lachlan will remember their Papa with fondness. He will be missed by his in-laws, Wendy Hamilton-Smith, Brian Jenner, Holly Dunn and her husband David Bastedo. Richard and Anne always appreciated the love and friendship they received from Bruce and Alberta Tomkins and their children, Leah, Brent and their families.
Richard grew up in St. Thomas Ontario and left home at 18 to join the Canadian Armed Forces. After boot camp he joined the navy and served on the HMCS St. Croix and the HMCS Provider in the Pacific. He was seconded for a short time to the USA Navy stationed out of Alemda, California as a Canadian Navigation Specialist. Upon leaving the Canadian Navy, Richard lived in Victoria, British Columbia prior to moving to Ontario to work in telecommunications with Algonquin College in Ottawa, and successfully completed courses delivered by Nortel. In 1992, he completed a Post-graduate program with Sheridan College for Telecommunication Management. The last position he held before he retired in 2011 was with William Osler Health Centre supporting hospitals and health clinics in Brampton, Georgetown and Etobicoke as a Telecommunication Specialist.
When Richard found Anne, he came without any family and with her and her two girls he found a home. Richard relished his role as a father and a Papa. He lived in Guelph, Cambridge and Kitchener over the last 26 years supporting his “adopted” family. Richard was a man of the utmost integrity who was intelligent and technically minded with a great sense of humour. He was passionate about and protective of those he loved. Later in his life, he rediscovered his love of motorcycling and took many trips around Ontario and in the USA. Richard, Anne and the girls had many enjoyable times at several trailers during the summers. Richard loved music and a close friend once said “is there any topic that you can’t put to song” which he indicated no there wasn’t.
Richard received exceptional services and medical treatment during his illness from the Grand River Cancer Centre and through the home palliative care team, who helped him remain at home as long as possible. Richard’s final days were spent at Hospice Wellington in Guelph. The calm, dedicated, empathetic and compassionate staff went above and beyond to make his final weeks as pleasant and comfortable as could be. They were so creative in providing methods and ways for him and his spouse, Anne to keep connected with family through these challenging pandemic times.
Richard was a truly unique and memorable person and will be deeply missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date once this covid 19 pandemic is finally over. One of Richard’s last wishes was that individuals who wished to make memorial donations to do so to Hospice Wellington - https://www.hospicewellington.org/donate or call 519-836-3921.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.772.1237. Please visit Richard's obituary notice on Facebook.
