Lloyd Bernard Richards

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Bernard "Lloyd" Richards of Ottawa. Lloyd passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at the age of 83 surrounded by family and friends.

Lloyd was predeceased by his loving wife of 28 years, Micheline (Thivierge); parents Clifton and Josephine of French Cove, NS; brother Lavin (Sarah) of St. Peter’s, NS; sister Kathleen (William Burns) of Louisdale, NS; and his nephew Tony. He will be fondly remembered by his niece Caroline and nephew Marc-Andre of Quebec City; Cape Breton nieces Patricia, Margaret, Barbara, Josephine, Glenda and nephews Carl, Lloyd, Terry, Paul and Jeffrey. He will also be dearly missed by his best friend of 62 years Arthur (Henrietta) of River Bourgeois, NS and their children Amy, Patrick and Joseph; friends Adam and Brigette Nelson and Greg MacMillan of Ottawa, as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Lloyd was born in French Cove, NS and spent his entire life, personally and professionally, in service to others. At a young age, Lloyd entered religious community which only deepened his Christian values. After leaving religious life, he spent six years establishing Transition House in Charlottetown, PEI supporting men with substance abuse issues. He then settled in Ottawa where he worked at the Canadian Hospital Association and volunteered during the HIV/AIDS crisis. After his beloved Micheline passed away in 2007, he studied the violin under the direction of soon to be friend Adam Nelson and devoted much of his time volunteering in the kitchen at The Ottawa Mission. Many Christmases and Thanksgivings would find Lloyd slicing turkey and feeding the homeless in downtown Ottawa. The friends and community he built during his time at the Mission were very important to Lloyd. He had a reputation as fun, hard-working and always determined to raise the most money for their annual fundraiser, the Coldest Night of the Year by inviting neighbours to his famous dinner parties to obtain donations. Lloyd’s love for Micheline, his self-deprecating humor, generosity and friendships were the cornerstones of his life. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at The Court at Barrhaven, Bruyère - Hôpital Saint-Vincent and Ottawa Civic Hospital for their care and compassion.

Humor, generosity and friendships were the cornerstones of his life. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 11am in St. Augustine Church, 1060 Baseline Rd, Ottawa.