June 1, 1944-May 17, 2014
With heavy hearts we announce that with his family at his side, Richard passed away peacefully at the Victoria General Hospital on Saturday, May 17, 2014 after a valiant battle.
Remaining to forever cherish Richard’s memories are his loving wife and best friend Lucille (nee Pantel), his one and only treasure, his chosen daughter Lauranne, her partner Trevor Hryciw and his soon to be and already very much loved grandchild.
He also leaves to mourn his passing his dear sister Patricia Willis (Ken), his nephew Jason Willis (Stacey), his friend and brother Edward Darryl Stemkoski (Elan) and their angels Sarah, Taylor and Hannah, his step-brother Doug Stemkoski (Mryna), his step-sister Shirley Dandeneau (Ed), his step-sister Bernice (Willis), his sister in law Jacquie Stemkoski (Wayne Smith), his sister in law Patricia Pantel, his nieces Diane Bihun (Dave), Danielle Rondeau (Paul), their daughter and his great niece Anna Rondeau. He will also be fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews in the Stemkoski family.
He was predeceased by his father Maurice Benoit, his brother Ray-Allen Benoit, his mother Lydia Stemkoski, his step-father Edward Stemkoski, his brother-in-law André Pantel, his step-brother Joe Stemkoski and his father-in law and mother-in-law Jules and Louise Pantel.
His education and his upbringing shaped his life into one of life-long learning, of giving, of paying it forward through his generosity, his volunteer work, his reading, ensuring that he always had the latest national and world-wide information on any topic. CBC, CTV, RDI, EWTN and CNN will miss him. He reminded us often that that we had received a lot and that we needed to remember to give back.
Richard attended Grades 1 to 4 at St.Alphonse Convent as a boarder, grade 5 in a rural school, grade 6 at Mariapolis Elementary School, grade 7 in the hamlet of Cardinal, grades 8 to 10 at St.Boniface College, again as a boarder and grades 11 and 12 at Notre Dame Collegiate in Notre Dame de Lourdes. He loved school and learning. Family dinners, which he truly enjoyed, always included a reminder that he could not eat certain foods because he had attended boarding school… He attributed his outgoing personality and his ability to mingle well in groups to his having attended many schools and learning to adjust to many different situations. He obtained a teaching certificate, B.A B.Ed. Masters in Education, and course work toward a Phd where he stopped when we received the gift of a beautiful baby girl, our daughter. He became a teacher, a principal, a superintendent of schools, a school division secretary-treasurer, a University administrator and professor. He worked in the Mountain School Division as a teacher, principal, superintendent and secretary-treasurer. He taught at the University of Regina. He was a principal in the Carlyle School Division, Saskatchewan. He was superintendent in the Wakaw School Division, Saskatchewan. In 1983, he became director of graduate studies and a professor at St. Boniface College where he remained until his retirement in 2002. In retirement he continued to work for St.Boniface College teaching Masters in Education courses in Vancouver for the francophone teachers.
His volunteer work was a source of great joy. He was president of Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba for several years after receiving the gift of Lauranne. He was a Fourth Degree Knight and served as Grand Knight of Council 5264 and as a District Deputy. He also served as board member and vice-president of Child and Family All Nations Coordinated Response Network an organization that allowed him to make friends who meant a lot to him. He was a board member and president of the Retired Teachers’ Association of Manitoba, an organization where he advocated for retired teachers. Serving at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish was indeed very special to him. He was president of the Board of Administration, a pastoral council member and he also taught RCIA.
Richard’s love of family and friends was truly exceptional. He loved extended family gatherings, family dinners every Sunday, being with friends, calling friends often, sometimes three or four times in a day, serving his community and his Super Bowl was Canadian and American election results. Travelling throughout Canada with family and going to Las Vegas, both have created very special memories of his love for the finer things in life, at the same time being a very humble man always wanting to pay it forward. Richard was our rock. No words can express how much he will be missed.
Richard’s body has been contributed to the University of Manitoba for the advancement of medicine through anatomical study. Friends and family may wish to make a donation to the Anatomical Research Fund or to the charity of their choice.
The family would like to thank the team of doctors and nurses at the Victoria General Hospital for their care, compassion and dedication to save Richard and to give him back to us.
Father Kevin Bettens will preside the funeral mass celebrating Richard’s life on Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11:00AM at Mary Mother of the Church Parish, 85 Kirkbridge Drive. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
Love you Dad!
THOMSON “IN THE PARK”
204-925-1120
Condolences may be sent to www.thomsoninthepark.com
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