Richard Roy Morrow

Richard's story is a quintessentially Canadian story. The son of Italian immigrants, Richard grew up in London, Ontario. He was an outstanding student who loved sports, idolizing baseball player Mickey Mantle and boxer Rocky Marciano. Richard completed his undergraduate and law degree at the University of Western Ontario.

While in Toronto completing his articling year, he met his first wife. The couple relocated to Guelph in 1971 so that he could take a position at a local firm. By 1974, Richard's only child (Rick) was born and he had started his own practice. Through the 1980s, Richard's practice transitioned to real estate law, taking advantage of Guelph's burgeoning homebuilding market. Up until a few weeks ago, Richard maintained a thriving office as a sole practitioner at 185 Woolwich St. in downtown Guelph.

In 1982, Richard met the woman he would spend the next 38 years with- Irene Kaczmarczyk. Together, they raised a son, ran a successful office, traveled the world and cultivated a number of lifelong friendships.

Richard possessed a staggering work ethic, an indomitable spirit, an irreverent sense of humour and genuine love for the law. He will be remembered by thousands of clients as a tenacious defender of their rights and as a staunch advocate for their interests. Many families have been loyal to him for multiple generations. Clients who were new Canadians held a special place in Richard's heart. He always imagined his own immigrant parents sitting across from him and treated them with the utmost care.

Over the last few years, Richard fought his way back from many serious health complications. Despite these setbacks, he showed up at work every single day until he was hospitalized last week. His wife and son were with him at his bedside just hours before he passed.

Richard is survived by his cherished wife, Irene (nee Kaczmarczyk), beloved son, Rick (Kim), grandchildren, Leah and Nicholas, nephews, Mark (Ellen) and Jeff and many close friends. He is predeceased by his parents, Rocco and Victoria, brothers, Samuel (late Yvonne), Victor and Armand (late Inge) and by the mother of his son, Anne Marie.

Friends are invited to join the family at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home (Hart Chapel) at 1099 Gordon St. in Guelph on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 1-4 p.m. and from 6-9 p.m. To attend a visitation time, please RSVP on the funeral home website.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be announced shortly. Internment will take place at Our Lady Immaculate Mausoleum at Marymount Cemetery in Guelph in a private ceremony to be held at a later date.

Memorial donations to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital, the Kidney Foundation of Canada or Diabetes Canada would be appreciated by the family. Online donations and condolences can be made at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com.