George Robert James Richardson

George Robert James Richardson October 13, 1923 – June 9, 2018
Surrounded by love, George (Rich) passed away Saturday, June 9, 2018 at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in his 95th year. Beloved husband of Elizabeth Ferrie and the late Betty Richardson. Loving father of Marilyn, Anne, and Douglas (Karen). Treasured grandfather (Papa) of Karen (David Macdonald), David (Amy Nguyen), Stephanie (Chris Raic), Greg (Jessica Morrill), Matthew (Ruo Yang), Michael and Laura. Special greatgrandfather to Alexandra, Samantha, Elliot and Maya . He will also be deeply missed by his brothers Morris and Don.
George grew up in Peterborough with his parents, older sister Shirley and his two younger brothers and shared his passion for sport, especially basketball, with his good friend Stu Saunders. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a pilot during the Second World War and after the war, he settled down in Toronto, married Betty and started a family. He also began his career as Secretary-Treasurer of the Parisian Laundry and throughout his 25 years there staff appreciated his supportive and gracious nature as well as his integrity. After a brief semi-retirement, he became the business administrator for the Bayview Glen School for seven years and loved working with the staff and students.
George believed in the value of community service. He was an active member of the Toronto Rotary Club for over 40 years working on several committees. The Youth and Children's Service Committee was one that allowed him and his fellow Rotarians to really make a difference in the lives of young people especially those with disabilities. He gladly painted camp cabins, transported needy children and assisted at the Children's Christmas Party. In 2011, he was honoured with the Paul Harris Fellow and William Peace Award which described him as "the true heart and soul of our Toronto Club" and "an advocate and activist in the practice of ‘service above self' ". He wanted to make a difference and he did. During this time, he was also Treasurer of the Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre an amazing outreach ministry of Fairlawn Heights United Church.
But the most important thing in George's life was family. He married his first love, Betty, and over the course of 58 years they raised a vibrant loving family. Each summer the family would head off to their cottage on Kasshabog Lake and spend days fishing, swimming, water skiing, reading and touring the lake by pontoon boat. Mini regattas with the Morris Richardson clan added even more fun and George eagerly took on all comers in the nail driving contest. A few years after Betty's death George met his second love, Elizabeth. At 85 he convinced her to marry him and together they actively pursued family life, travelling, cottaging, playing cards and going to the theatre. Elizabeth ensured that George's final years were filled with love, adventure and care. George lived life to the fullest. His dry wit, sense of fun, loyalty, thoughtfulness and fierce love of life and family touched almost everyone he met.
The family would like to thank the staff at Sunrise Mississauga and Rosemary for their loving care last year and the staff at Sunnybrook's Dorothy Macham Home and Selma for making these last months as positive as possible.
A private family celebration of his life will take place at his beloved cottage on Kasshabog Lake. Memorial donations may be made to your favourite charity or the Rotary Club of Toronto – Phil fund (Camp Scugog).