North Sydney, NS
January 14, 1953 ~ March 6, 2024
It is with broken hearts that we the family announce the passing of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Gary Graham Richards, age 71, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Born in North Sydney on January 14, 1953, Gary was the son of the late Hugh John and Harriet (Evelly) Richards.
Gary lived a full life, spending many hours doing the things he loved most. During his younger years, Gary enjoyed playing little league baseball and minor hockey. He was also part of the Air Cadets, Squadron 562. He played hockey with the Northside Vics and was a member of Seaview Golf Club. Gary also had a love for the water and enjoyed many hours boating from the Northern Yacht Club and the George’s River Boat Club. He spent many hours riding his Harley Davidsons, camping, playing softball and strumming his guitars. He was a volunteer with the North Sydney Fire Department for 20 years and also served on the hazmat team, and was a volunteer with the Cape Breton Burn Camp. Gary was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. In his earlier years Gary worked for Marine Atlantic aboard the vessels, and later as a stationary engineer with Nova Scotia Power until his retirement in 2008. At one time he was the union representative for IBEW, Local 1928. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church.
Gary is survived by his daughters Denise (James) Jobes, North Sydney and Jennifer Richards (Michelle), North Sydney. Also surviving are his grandchildren Nikita, Chelsie, Kalie, Tessa, James and Ethan; great-grandchildren Jack, Abbi, Melody, Ezra, Ryker, Domonik, Jaxon; his sister Lisa (Ross) Thomas; sister-in-law Mary Richards. He also leaves behind nieces and nephews Greg Riggs, Christopher Riggs, Cindy Foley, Tanya Richards, Hughie Richards, Christopher Richards, and his feline companions Missy and Mo.
Besides his parents, Gary was predeceased by his wife Mona (Patey) and his brother Hugh.
The family would like to thank the Harbourview Hospital Veteran’s Unit, the nurses at Cape Breton Regional Hospital 4C and Palliative Care, with special thanks to nurses Angeline and John.
We would also like to thank Osprey Sitters for all their care to Gary and our family.
Visitation for Gary will be from 3-6 pm, Sunday, March 10, at the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 11, at 2:30 pm, at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church, North Sydney, with Reverend Debbie Fice officiating. Burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery at a later date.
For those who cannot attend but wish to watch the service, it will be livestreamed on the W.J. Dooley Facebook page.
Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Dementia Care, St. John the Baptist Anglican Church or Cape Breton Burn Camp.
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