William Mark Ritchie

1946- 2026

With deep love and sadness, the family of Mark Ritchie announces that he passed away peacefully at WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd. on Saturday May 16, 2026 the age of 79 years. He was the beloved spouse, best friend, travel companion and trivia teammate of Barbara Patterson for over 44 years.

He was generally regarded by his peers as someone who “knows something about everything”.  He had been a teacher, tax assessor, and researcher.  His love of cinema led to film studies at York University and a career as a film archivist, studying, storing, preserving and cataloging all types of media.

Mark LOVED travelling. From his first trip to Russia in his teens to his last cruise across the Mediterranean just months ago he loved the experiences, the people, the food and the sights.   Everything fascinated him with over 125 countries on the check list he was never out of travel stories.

Mark was predeceased by his parents William and Audrey Ritchie and recently by his younger brother Philip.  He is survived by his life partner Barbara, his sister-in-law Cheryl, nephew Spencer and niece Emily and her partner Ivan.

Cremation has taken place. A private family interment will take place in Bobcaygeon.  A  celebration of life gathering will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation Emergency and Critical Care Department as expressions of sympathy.

Barbara would like to thank the paramedics, firemen, police and emergency doctors and nurses at WHRN at Queens Blvd Hospital.

Messages and condolences for the family may be left in the comments box below.