Richard Michael Turcotte

Recently retired from Supremex, Rick was a highly successful salesperson for the envelope industry. He particularly enjoyed his many years with Royal envelope, where he was known for attentive and ethical service to his many clients.

If you met Rick even once, you undoubtedly remember him. His sense of humour, his laugh and joyful presence lit up a room. This enjoyment of life was matched by his kindness, empathy and compassion. He had a particular affinity for this quote from “Auntie Mame”: “Life is a banquet, and most of us folks are starving to death!”

A gifted vocalist, he participated over the years with many community and church choirs, including the Toronto Choral Society and the chorus of Opera Mississauga.

As a volunteer, from 1994 to 2002 Rick generously shared his experience as a vocal coach in the Drama department of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School in Scarborough, supporting students to find their singing voice in annual musical productions such as West Side Story and Leader of the Pack. His patience, enthusiasm and encouragement will be remembered by many.

Committed daily to his own recovery, Rick spent many years supporting others on the path to recovery to pursue and maintain a drug-free lifestyle.

A man of deep faith, Rick was a long-time member of the congregation of St. Paul’s Basilica. He met his passing with the same grace, courage and hope with which he lived. As Maya Angelou observed: “A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.”

Richard is survived by his partner and long time friend, Jeannot Guay. His siblings are Paul Turcotte and his son Jason Turcotte. Sandra Roskar and her husband Ronald Roskar and their son Ryan Roskar. Tim Turcotte and his wife Lorraine Turcotte and their sons Patrick Turcotte and his partner Jackie Stewart with their son Steven Turcotte, Tyler Turcotte and his partner Jaclyn Van Hoof, Alex Turcotte and his wife Caitlyn Turcotte. His deceased parents Palmer Turcotte and Columbe Turcotte.

He will be missed tremendously, but his spirit will live on and always in our hearts.

The family would ask that instead of flowers, to please donate to the Cancer Society in his name at https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation

Au revoir, Rick.

A visitation for Richard will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 4 - 8 pm at the Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home, 467 Sherbourne Street (South of Wellesley St.) A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at St. Paul's Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON.