Paul Robert Richard

RICHARD, Paul Robert – 61, of Dartmouth. One of the finest people ever to walk this earth, Paul Robert Richard passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve with his loving family by his side. Paul was the son of Robert (Bob) and Joan Richard of Dartmouth. Paul is survived by his loving wife Lynne, daughter Laura (AJ and grandson Sylas Snow), son Peter; sisters, Lisa, and Janet (Don and nephew Michael MacNeil) and mother Joan. He was predeceased by his father Bob and brother Peter. Paul lived a full life in his sixty one years, and nothing gave him greater joy than his family. He was enormously proud of the incredible people Laura and Peter grew up to be, he lovingly welcomed AJ into the family and he relished being grampy to his newest pride and joy, Sylas. Paul cherished the love and support of Lynne, his proud partner and best friend. His family was everything to him. Paul had a long and distinguished career in healthcare. He began his career as an industrial engineer at the Victoria General Hospital and eventually became the Director of Health Information Services at the QEII. He was employed with Cardinal Health for many years and eventually started his own company, Richway Consulting. During the later years of his career he joined Pivot Consulting. During his career he lead and supported innumerable health care initiatives across Atlantic Canada. He was a consummate professional and was highly respected by his peers. He not only enjoyed the work he did, but far more importantly, the people he worked with. In addition to his family, Paul’s other passion in life was golf, and more specifically Brightwood Golf & Country Club. Paul was a member of Brightwood for over fifty years, serving two terms as club President. Paul knew pretty much everyone at ‘the Wood’, and Paul, or Nip, or Rich, or Rocket, as he was affectionately known, was a proud member of the Ringers golf group. Paul was recently honoured as the first recipient of the Brightwood Builders award, recognizing a lifetime of contribution to the club. Paul beamed from ear to ear as President Mike Connors and incoming President Kevan Mills presented him with the award recently while he was a patient at the Dartmouth General Hospital. To everyone at Brightwood, you will never know how much that meant to Paul or how much his many friends and the staff at Brightwood meant to him over the years. He was also fond of his ‘winter home’ at the Old Port Pub, and to Sheri and the staff, he would want to say thanks. Paul was very committed to his community and spent countless hours working as a volunteer supporting local foundation and charity events. Paul was always game to help out and through sharing his time and talents Paul had a profound impact on many people. Paul had an amazing spirit, he loved people, lived with humility and even in the final stage of his twenty year long fight with cancer Paul remained positive, charitable and more concerned for the people he loved than himself. The legacy we leave, besides our family, is the memories people have of us. By this definition Paul was a great man, who left an incredible legacy. It’s difficult to put into a few words the life of a man, but Paul was a great man; a wonderful husband, a loving father, a deeply proud grandfather, brother, son and just a great friend. He will be missed. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of the Dartmouth General Hospital 4th floor for their compassion and amazing care. Family flowers only, donations to the Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation. Cremation has taken place. A service to honour Paul, a funeral mass will be held at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Friday January 3, at 11:00 am. A reception to celebrate Paul’s life will follow at the Brightwood Golf & Country Club.