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William Neil RICHARDS
William Neil RICHARDS
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William RICHARDS Obituary
May 11, 1949 - January 12, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Neil Richards at his home in Saskatoon. Neil is survived by his mother, Dorothy (Bowmanville, ON), his brother, Douglas (Bowmanville, ON), his brother, Robert [Faye] (Oshawa, ON), his nieces Tanya [Greg], Rebecca [Kevin], and Kelli [Robby], and many good friends and colleagues. He was predeceased by his father, Ron. Neil was born and educated in Ontario. He worked as a Library Assistant in the University of Saskatchewan's Murray Library Reference and Special Collections Departments from 1971 to 2002. His love of art made him a passionate art collector. For nearly 50 years, Neil made it his life's work to preserve the history of Saskatchewan's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community while simultaneously contributing to the advancements of human rights in the province. He was honoured with having the Neil Richards Collection of Sexual and Gender Diversity, established at the University of Saskatchewan Archives & Special Collections, named after him. Neil was a significant community leader whose professional and volunteer efforts have almost single-handedly provided a legacy of rich research material for generations to come. In 1995 Neil was the initial recipient of the University of Saskatchewan's Presidents Service Award and in 2005, Neil received a Saskatchewan Centennial Medal for outstanding achievements. All who knew Neil as a friend will miss him. According to Neil's personal wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Cremation will be conducted by Park Funeral Home in Saskatoon. For those wishing to do so, donations to a charity of their choosing would be greatly appreciated.
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34 Entries
wayne lenhardt
May 6, 2018
Neil had contacted me in dec. as to whether I had any more paintings of my mothers that might be for sale, and I had wondered why he hadnt followed up with another email. I had met Neil on a few occasions, once in Melville, and he was one of my mother's early friends in the art world along with Joe Fafard, David Thauberger and Susan Whitney. One who unselfishly contributed in accord with his talents. Sask. was fortunate.
March 29, 2018
It is with sadness that I learned of Neil's passing. He was a kind and compassionate individual, gone too soon. Condolences to his family and dear friends.
Edna Wilson (retired Engineering Library)
Alex Spence
February 20, 2018
Neil's work for the local gay community stretches back to those days when such efforts were the brave, stressful, and often unappreciated activities of the few who were willing to step up for justice. And that work continued not just for a brief time, but was a dedicated obsession for over four decades. Thank you, Neil, for what you did for the Saskatchewan community. So sorry your time was too short. Your family, though, should be very proud of your legacy.
Shawn Mooney
January 31, 2018
I was saddened to hear of Neils passing, and the more I reflected the more I realized what a tremendous indeed, life-saving impact he had on me as a young closeted gay man in Saskatchewan in the 1980s. I have made a short video for my BookTube channel reflecting on and expressing my gratitude to him: https://youtu.be/KHDzQfgqiFY
Shawn Mooney
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Barb Clay
January 29, 2018
Doug was a very special member of our community and I was privileged to work with him on a number of occasions, back in the 80's when he was the first male to receive The GALA award at the Ukranian hall. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for collecting a rich history/herstory of LGBTQ2 and for his wise input in to many of our groups. Doug was a quiet and pensive person - he is a real loss to our rainbow family.
Barb clay
Joanne Abrahamson
January 25, 2018
I was an 18-year-old baby dyke when I first met Neil in 1981 at the old Gay Community Centre on 3rd Ave. S. Out gay people on campus - who knew? Twenty years later our paths crossed again when I was newly employed at the U of S Archives and Neil was nearing retirement' from Special Collections. He certainly did not retire! He continued to come to work and scour eBay for gay-related material, movie posters and Saskatchewan postcards, among other neat interests. Neil regularly shared with me the excitement of his many purchases. I spoke to Neil for the final time on 4 January. He looked well. Eight days later, he died. Neil should've had many years of collecting ahead of him. I will miss his carefully crafted letters to the Star-Phoenix Letters to the Editor section. I indeed share the shock that Neil is gone. My condolences to Neil's family and his many friends.
January 25, 2018
Jan and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Neil's death. Neil was an invaluable help to me during the initial years of Herstory: a Canadian Women's Calendar. As the first E.D. of AIDS Saskatoon he worked alongside us on the issue. I encountered him occasionally as a member of Saskatoon's l/b/g/t community. He was wonderful human being and tireless researcher for our community. I will always think of you in as rainbows bless us all. Erin Shoemaker
Carol Marriott
January 24, 2018
A dear friend of friends. May your sweet ways remain in our hearts so we can share more of that with our world. ♥
Ralph Hellmuth
January 22, 2018
It was difficult to think that Neil's sweet chuckling laugh was gone, then I thought about it some more and I heard it again. I always admired Neil's work in the community. It was inspiring to see him work so diligently in our community, long before I ever had the courage to step up. Thanks, Neil, for holding open so many doors for the rest of us.
Jan Clarke
January 21, 2018
I am very saddened to hear of Neil's death.
For a number of years Neil lived in one of the apartments on the top floor of our Victoria Ave house. At different times I lived in the other apt. I came to know well his kind and wise approach to life and his thoughtful ways. When his apartment could no longer hold all his art, Neil filled up our mutual hallway and stairwell. I learned a lot about art from Neil and treasured coming home and walking through the "gallery " he had created.
Condolences to his loved ones - such a fine person.
Roxanne, Doug, Valerie & Tina Brunskill
January 18, 2018
So sad to hear of Neil's passing. He is gone too soon and will be greatly missed. Neil was a wonderful friend of our family and we're glad we got to see him the last time we were in Saskatoon at a family celebration in July. Our condolences to his family.
Kelly Murphy
January 18, 2018
My deepest condolences to Neil's family. I remember a wonderful road trip to visit Molly Lenhart at her home and studio. Neil had collected her work and their friendship was plainly evident.
It's shock to learn of his death! Gone too soon!
Your friends at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
January 17, 2018
Neil made such a great contribution to the preservation of LGBTQ history and life in Saskatchewan. He will be deeply missed.
January 17, 2018
Neil had an enormous impact in the U of SK Library for many, many years extending well beyond his formal "retirement." He never really left, to our enduring benefit. In addition to his tireless work collecting, organizing and exhibiting LGBT materials, which many here have mentioned, for a long time the main floor of the Murray Library and some of the stairwells might well have been called the Neil Richards Gallery, exhibiting many of Saskatchewan's folk artists for whom he had such enthusiasm as well as special exhibits which he arranged from time to time. In addition, the Library's wonderful Saskatchewan Music Collection originated as a proposal from Neil. He threw himself heart and soul into everything he did and he made it fun, too. It was a privilege to have known him - I learned a lot about aspects of Saskatchewan, its culture and history from him. My sympathies to his family. Frank Winter.
Nettie Wiebe
January 17, 2018
I am sad to learn that the quiet, genial, gentle Neil Richards has slipped out of this world. I worked with him (briefly) at the U of S library in the early 1970s. Our sporadic conversations over the ensuing decades were always lovely and informative. Privileged to have known such a courageous advocate for justice and respect.
Judith Gossen
January 17, 2018
Such a sad loss to Neil's family and friends, and our larger community. His many generous and important contributions to our lives, the Arts, Murray Memorial Library, and the LGBTQ community are deeply valued. Farewell, friend.
Bryce Erickson
January 17, 2018
Dear Neil, We knew each other from 1971 until your recent passing. I remember you from your first day working in the Reference Dept., Murray Memorial Library. (I joined the staff under Miss Ruth Murray in 1970.) And this past summer, we chatted briefly on Broadway Ave. Always, I remember your friendly familiarity and kindness.
I feel as if a 47-year friendship has disappeared in the coldness and darkness of a bleak, mid-winter night.
Neil, I will remember you, and your happy times and good works. I will remember you.
Bryce Erickson
Watrous, SK Canada
Evelyn Rogers
January 17, 2018
Oh, Neil, we were supposed to be together on Christmas Day but I was sick. I loved our times together whenever you were in Regina. And now you're gone! I'll go back to our old haunts and have coffee in memory of you.
January 17, 2018
We just learned of your sad news and wanted you to know our heartfelt sympathy is with you at this difficult time.Neil's neighbours at the condo. Doreen Fairburn and Irene Bell
Claire Bullaro
January 17, 2018
So very sad to read this and his family and friends have my condolences. Neil was a regular at Artworks and loved to see what was new. He was a man of many passions and a wonderful advocate in his own quiet way.
Kent and Thom
January 16, 2018
It is hard to think of the Saskatoon gay community without Neil. He was present at so many events, and his work and passion touched the lives of a great many people.
Shannon
January 16, 2018
A kind man, a teacher with patience and persistence, and a co worker in the Murray Library with a ready smile and tolerance for a young, impulsive pup like me. Glad to be part of your journey, Neil
Jai
January 16, 2018
A quiet champion for our community. Such a huge loss to community
Daryl Mitchell
January 16, 2018
Neil was a wonderful, humble man and a tireless, selfless contributor to the LGBT community of Saskatoon. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will serve as an inspiration to countless others for many years to come.
Allen Davis
January 16, 2018
Both Niel and I lived in Nutana for many years. He was always modest, quiet and so supportive of the GSD community. I never knew of his awards so it shows how quietly modest he was about his achievements. Condolences go to out to his family and close friends. Keep the special times in your heart and he will always be with you.
Kirby Bell
January 16, 2018
Wonderful person & always had time for a chat be at the center, bus or on the street, all family and friends in our thoughts shall be missed.
Margi Carefully
January 16, 2018
Neil will be missed by many. He made this world a better place.
David Creelmam
January 16, 2018
A stunning loss not just for his family but for the LGBT community whose stories he worked painstakingly to conserve.
January 16, 2018
January 16, 2018
Neil was a good friend and teacher. Through him, so many of us in the library learned to appreciate Saskatchewan artists and the gay community. I'll miss him.
Linda Fritz
Val Scrivener
January 16, 2018
I am saddened to hear of Neil's passing. He was a kind & gentle man. Neil worked tirelessly to leave a legacy for the LGBT community here in Saskatoon & the wider world.
I had no idea of his awards which shows what a modest person he was.
I'm heartwarmed that I was able to have a short visit with Neil just before Christmas. You will be missed Neil.
Mark Stanley
January 16, 2018
I'm so sorry to hear of Neil's death. I've always admired and liked him, though I didn't know him as well as I wanted to.
AnnaMarie Zepp
January 16, 2018
We were very very sad to here that our dear kind friend is gone.
Caroline Cottrell (Andre)
January 16, 2018
I was so saddened to hear this news. I worked with Neil in the 1970s and saw him at least weekly at the bus stop across from Place Riel. His contributions to the LGBT community were remarkable, and my bedroom sports a painting I bought from him in 1979. Neil, you will be missed greatly.
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311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H9
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