Tribute

John Richards passed away in his sleep at South Okanagan General Hospital on May 28, 2013 at the age of 91 years. He was born on June 19, 1921 in Kent England, the only child of Dorothy Madge Richards and Charles Sydney Richards. When John was 5 years old, his parents moved to East Finchley in the London borough of Barnet where he grew up. After finishing school, John followed his father into the insurance business with Lloyd’s of London, where he worked until the outbreak of World War II, when he enlisted in the Royal Air Force. He hoped to become a pilot and was sent to Canada for flight training, but health issues interrupted this plan, so during part of the war he was based in the Shetland Islands where he worked in the new field of RADAR.

While in Canada, John met Anne Parker, who would later become his wife, and after the war he returned to Canada. He and Anne married and moved to Vancouver, where he obtained a job with the Retail Credit Company as an insurance claims investigator. John and Anne bought a home in North Burnaby where they raised their children. They were active members of the Westridge community, and John was president of the local Little League Association for several years – pretty good for someone who had never played the game! Coming to Canada from England, where one “called in a man” to do household repairs, John was surprised to learn he was “the man”, but he embraced that role so thoroughly that he was able, with his son Wayne and cousin George, to build two cottages. 

After John’s retirement in 1978, he and Anne moved to Idle-O in Osoyoos, where they made new friends and continued to put their golf clubs to regular use. John travelled to many parts of the world, first with Anne, and later with his special friend, Elizabeth. He used to say there weren’t many places he hadn’t seen. Three years ago, he decided to move to Cactus Ridge Retirement Residence. John was always good at keeping in touch with people, from his neighbours in Westridge, Twin Lakes and Idle-O, to colleagues from work and new friends whom he and Anne, and later Elizabeth, met on their many travels, as well as family members in Britain. To the end of his life, John’s quick skill with numbers helped him win many a game of cribbage.

John was predeceased by his wife Anne in 2002. He is survived by his daughter Lyn Richards (Pete Smith), his son Wayne (Nina) Richards, grandchildren Erik Wool (Hannah Smith), Mike (Eiko) Richards, and Kathy (Scott) Hanley, as well as his great-granddaughter Maia Richards, his special friend Elizabeth Beniach, his cousin Richard Moore in Wales, and his brother-in-law John Parker. He will be deeply missed by all of his family and friends for his humour, wisdom, charm, integrity, and patience.

The family would like to thank those who gave John such care and comfort during the past year: the staff at Cactus Ridge Retirement Residence, who gave John such warm and caring support that went far beyond their roles, his family physician, Dr. Elzaan de Witt, who addressed his health issues with warmth and respect, and the amazing nursing staff at SOGH, who gave John such loving care during his final month of life. All that you did for him was deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.

A memorial reception will be held on Sunday July 7 from 12 noon to 3 pm at the Osoyoos Golf Club. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Palliative Care services at South Okanagan General Hospital.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com

Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos, 250-498-0167.