I just heard about Duane's passing today.  He was a wonderful man, and a London Lifer to the end.  We will miss you terribly.  You brought such knowledge to those new to the business.


Sorry to lose Duane.  He was great person to share a golf course with and a beer after.  Gary Temple

Duane, you will be missed!  The Muias are my "second family" and Duane has always been such a fixture -- it's hard to imagine a summer event without Duane being there, mixing up ceasars and making time to chat with everyone!  Thank you for being such a good person, and being a great dad/Pappy/great-grandfather to some of my favourite people <3

To Billie & Family....Linda & I are in Florida & heard the sad news about Duane. We have wonderful memories of the many years we enjoyed as a friend & a London Life associate that were filled with hockey, baseball & golf. What a wonderful person that Duane was during his lifetime. 
We send our love to the family...
George & Linda Peplinskie

Having known Duane for over 45 years, to say it was a pleasure working, and sharing a lot of sporting memories is an understatement. Duane exemplified a wonderful Human Being. He made countless friends both in business and sporting organizations. He loved and cherished his family and close friends. One can only hope to follow in his footsteps. He will be missed by many - Thanks for the Memories Duane!!

There is a part of me that still can’t believe this is real - Pappy seemed like he would just live forever. The story with why the grandkids call him Pappy is silly. It was supposed to be Poppy, but I couldn’t pronounce it and he instead became Pappy - Which is funny because it just fit him perfectly. 

When I was born, he was only 50. I remember hearing about my friends grandfathers or seeing pictures, and being shocked to learn not everyone’s grandfather was playing multiple sports, taking them on adventures and out skating, out biking and out racing them. Looking back, I am so grateful he was young when I was born, because of the extra time I got with him. 

I could fill a book with stories and memories of him. Some would be funny (like the few times he drank a little too much wine and got silly), many would be sweet (how he would sometimes pick me up from my classes at UTSC on his way back from curling). They would show his helpful nature (I’ve never had to hang a shelf, a hook, or a picture frame as he’s always been the one to come over do it for me) and so many would just show the type of person he was, always living life to the fullest. Every Halloween he would dress up. Every summer he was taking care of his pool and swimming with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He made the best fried rice, Oysters Rockefeller and Ceaser’s. He was the most organized person (his record keeping abilities are meticulous). And while I didn’t inherit any of his organization skills (or the sports skills) I did get his love of a good party and his event planning abilities (and I’ve almost perfected the rice). 

Pappy was always there for us and he was the type of person everyone just loved. I am so lucky Duane Richards was my grandfather. While I admit my bias, he was the BEST grandfather and great-grandfather ever. And he will be greatly missed but never forgotten. 


I met Duane shortly after I started Curling in 2004.  I played on his team  at Tam for a couple of years  and he also invited me to join two foursomes of Wednesday golf that included Frank Bell, Bob Black, Al Boyle and Wayne Haggart.  18 years later that group had grown to five weekly foursomes .  Duane was still arranging the schedule, negotiating rates and keeping stats, tasks he seemed to love.
He was ever courteous, generous with his time and I count him a good friend.
His passing has left a hole in the world that will not easily be filled.  My sincere condolences to his immediate family and to all his many friends.  I know we will all miss him.
Andrew Lamb

I played ball and curled with Duane but he looked after our golf group like nobody else could do. We are going to miss this guy terribly.
Peace be with him!! 



My sincere condolences to Billie and family. Duane was always a pleasure to keep company with and  will be greatly missed by many.

I met Duane at baseball, curling and golf. He was a great guy and I will miss him.

Jim Harlow

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Duane. I knew him as a curler and an organizer of golf for our Venerables.

I have missed the informal chats in the curling locker room the last couple of months as his locker was just 5  from mine. I know that he just had his birthday about  a week ago. 

He  skipped a team in our Venerables Competitive curling , was always happy, and was always looking out  for a humorous comment.

He will be truly missed by us Venerables. 

I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family . 

Rest in Peace, Duane .

Reg Pembleton

I'm one of many who enjoyed friendly competition with Duane in Venerables curling.  My condolences to his family and friends.

I worked at LL during the years Duane did, played hockey, baseball and golf with him and can honestly say....I've never met a more sincere,  honest, organized and caring human.
Duane will be missed by so many people. Happy I had the pleasure and honor to know him.
Our sincere condolences to Billie and the family.
Rest in peace...🙏
Al and Judy



My sincere sympathy to Billie & family.  I've known Duane for 25
years.  We played baseball, golfed and curled, many times on the
same team.  I believe Duane was my curling skip for the past 5
years and never did I think that he threw his last rock in November.
Duane was an amazing organizer for both the golf games and
curling events.  He never ceased to amaze me on  the stats he 
kept.  I'm certainly  going to miss his phone calls.
It was an honour to be a friend of Duane's.              Les Guinn

I had the pleaure of meeting Duane a few times and enjoyed
his chats when he would call Les to check whether or not he would
be making the next golf game.   He was very pleasant and jovial
Sincere condolences to Duane's family                      Carol Guinn

After 22 years of baseball, golf & curling I'm going to miss his phone
calls. I was amazed of his organization skills whether it be for golf
or curling.  What is going to happen to the boys now??
It was a great honour to be his friend.
My sincere sympathy to Billie & family.       Les Guinn

I had the pleasure of meeting Duane a few times and  chatted on
the phone when he would call Les to  set up golf dates & tee off
times.    Duane was a very pleasant and cheerful man.   It was my
pleasure to have met him                     
Sincere condolences to Duane's family             Carol Guinn

OBITUARY

Duane Chetwyned Richards

February 16, 1935 – February 22, 2023

Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre

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