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Richard BENNETT Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Richard BENNETT
17 Entries
Bryce Jackson
January 18, 2021
What an ambassador and great neighbour in our community. Spirited is he. We went swimming and enjoyed many outings around town together. He wrote wonderful letters. He did so much for me. After he took me to a John Cougar Mellencamp concert in Vancouver, I introduced him to some of my electronic music. I think I took him to his first rave. The beat goes on. He never left the dance. Big love
Dale Lovell
January 30, 2012
I was Richard's caregiver back in the late 1980's. That was when he got his first cat. I forget what her name was now, but we both tried to train her without much success.
Richard always had a lively sense of humor. He could laugh at the knuckle balls life sent his way and that must have served him well over the years.
Once I was to drive him to the ferry quite early in the morning. We had to be on time because someone was meeting him on the otherside.
I quess I woke up late, because there was huge rush to get away in the morning. Richard was talking, but I wasn't listening because I was busy getting ready.
The same in the car on the way to the ferry. I was driving as fast as I safely could, passing cars, trying to make it to the ferry before it sailed.
Richard was talking. I thought, Richard quit bothering me I have pay attention to the road.
When we pulled in at the ferry terminal there was no one in front of us. It was the first day of fall and the clocks had been set back an hour. We had plenty of time. That's what Richard had been trying to tell me.
We laughed about that many times.
Richard was an inspiration to all who knew him.
January 29, 2012
In spite of all the hurdles Richard faced in day-to-day living, he embraced life and made it his mission to live his life to the max. In choosing this path, Richard provides inspiration for all of us. His shining spirit will continue to point the way to "not what is" but to what life can be. Joanie and Kim
January 11, 2012
Those who knew Richard were given a precious gift. What a beautiful man whose life was lived to the fullest. Our thoughts go out to Richards family. Vicki, Beverly, and David
to a kind 'n gentle man and loving spirit (~_~)
December 30, 2011
You will be missed by many people Richard ... your smile and good nature were gifts you shared with those around you each and every day ... Thanks Richard for your most positive example AND spirit of loving kindness ... you shared with all! in peace and love to you and to all your loved ones who will miss you dearly ... j juniper
December 29, 2011
Richard is an inspiration to us all. His gentleness, his humour and his free spirit will stay with us forever.
Love to the family
Bev, Vicki and David..
Christine
December 25, 2011
A tribute to my very special and talented cousin..
Beautiful Blue Bird
Beautiful Blue Bird sacred soul
Fragile yet strong
through winds that blow
Wings that dance upon starry night
Spirit soars in musics flight
Beautiful Blue Bird in gilded cage
Now free to fly on rainbow rays
Golden light upon his sweet face
Candle shining in fields of grace
Beautiful Blue Bird let go of your kite
Warrior heart
feathers beating so bright
The Poet The Painter hands to the sky
We Celebrate your freedom
Fly Bluebird Fly
My cousin illuminated all of our souls with his light
and his incredible capacity for joy.
He was and continues to be a sparkle in all of our hearts.
Thank you to those of you who were kind to him.
Twinkle Twinkle little star
Dance with the Angels dear Richard
Love you 4ever
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Frances Witt
December 22, 2011
Richard had a presence that filled the room. A gentleness. A commitment to being present exactly where he was. An infectious zest for life.
He had a rich, complicated, complex and full life, surrounded with a very close family and many many true friends.
Richard will be missed by all who knew him well as well as by those who knew him only briefly.
I am remembering you so fondly Richard, and sending condolences to your family, Terri and Paul, and Danny and Keith.
Bryony Graham
December 21, 2011
Richard was one of the best known and respected young residents of Cadboro Bay when I lived in the area and went to school there. He visited our home occasionally and shared many laughs and notes with my father. Richard really displayed his sense of humour and his language skills when he could use a typewriter instead of trying to verbalize! I never saw Richard after I moved away from Cadboro Bay, but I'm so glad to know that he lived a full and happy life. My best regards to Terri and family.
Donna and Dan Holmes
December 20, 2011
My husband and I knew Richard only a short time here at Lavender Co-op. His always smiling face will be missed by those of us that were lucky to have shared his path.
Angie Balbon
December 20, 2011
Richard is one of the most amazing, strong willed and upbeat individuals I've ever known, His love of life and living it the fullest showed every time he was out in the community with friends.
He will be greatly missed, but forever in our hearts.
Richard, I always enjoyed dancing with you, you will always be on the dance floor with me.
Much love XOX
Dave Pite
December 20, 2011
I first met Richard when I was a few months old, or so my mom tells me. She's told me about those days, when we were neighbors in Cadboro Bay, that his mother never considered giving him any less chances than any other child. She'd often see gangs of kids playing together, Richard right in the middle of it, being pulled around in a wagon, or whatever, laughing, keeping the energy up. Then we moved away and lost contact until I was in high school and volunteering at a summer camp for handicapped in Lake Cowichan. I got in with a good gang of young of young people working there which carried on throughout the winter back in the city and next summer's camp and years after school finished, parties and trips and university and right in the middle was Richard. Cruising between classes at UVic, he had a sign hanging from the back of his wheelchair, "Don't honk, push!"� He published poems in the student newspaper, wrestled with papers for Literature, Philosophy and Black Comedy courses. We went camping in a tent on the West Coast. Once a year his parents went on a vacation and I'd stay with him and we'd party, with his ever-expanding circle of friends. He started wanting to give his mother a break and become more independent, manage his own life. Having no interest in an institution, he participated in various group homes until finally working out a situation where he could live independently, with caregivers alternating weekdays and weekends. Through careful selection, luck and karma he found some exceptional people to share his life in vibrant alternative life-styles and realities; I've been so fortunate to participate with Richard sometimes in this rich and happy life he carved out for himself.
Al REFORD
December 20, 2011
I knew Richard through the Dance community in Victoria especially at Sunset. Richard, you always inspired me with your Dancing smiles and good cheer. Thank for being such a great person. :):):) I trust all your family and friends will treasure the memories they have of you. May you keep on Dancing as you wish. You will always be dancing in my mind.
LOve and Aloha Al :):)
Ruby M. Tuesday
December 20, 2011
'go, team diehard!' and off to the next adventure!
we will miss your physical presence, dear richard, though you will always be dancing among us in spirit.
because of you, we all love a little more.~
we'll see you on the flip side, where the celebration continues... ;)
December 20, 2011
It saddens me greatly Richard that you are no longer here on this earth. We were both Pisces Brothers and Diehard Brothers.
I will hold onto the many fond memories of dancing on the same floors (and beach) over the years with you, your smiles, and the ears that you always lent me when I needed someone to talk to.
Your spirit will be with me forever Richard, my good friend...
Kit, Vic BC
Patrick Richardson
December 20, 2011
Richard touched my life deeply in numerous ways over the seven years that I knew him. Although I witnessed his seemingly relentless suffering from Cerebral Palsy, I can say without reservation that his condition did not define him. We shared numerous conversations, though communication was challenging for both of us, but through which I knew Richard to be a deep and thoughtful man who appreciated life, no matter what extreme challenges it presented to him. I learned so much from interacting with him--how much I take for granted in my own life, how joyful it is to give completely to someone else, but most of all, understanding what matters most to me in life: my relationships with others. While he couldn't give much to anyone in a physical sense, he gave so much by graciously allowing us to help him. I told him this on numerous occasions- that in allowing us the opportunity to help him, he was helping us all to feel so good! And he would give me that look, the one where he suddenly got serious for a moment, keeping his head as still as he possibly could, and looking deeply into my eyes. The look of knowing, the look of caring... as he did his best to utter the word: Y-eee-ss!
I once had an epiphany on the dance floor, as I stood beside Richard, who was kicking his feet, dancing away in his chair like he did on so many nights.
I realized that I had been feeling sorry for him all this time, often privately thinking how absolutely TERRIBLY CRUEL and UNFAIR God was to do this to a person. And then it dawned on me. It wouldn't be possible to live sixty years despising and resisting his physical state. He must have completely given up resisting...
Then Ram Dass' words came to mind: "Fierce grace."
I kneeled down beside him and told him my revelation. He looked at me with the biggest, widest eyes, and said: Y-EEE-SS!! I cried. I gave him a big hug... and we kept on dancing.
No resistance. Richard's mind was free long before his body finally was.
Over the years, Richard and I talked a lot about many different things, and the topic of death came up a few times. He was perfectly ok with dying--probably more than most people I know.
Last week, when I found out he had passed away, I was in shock. I didn't expect him to go so suddenly. For awhile, there was a heavy, heavy feeling in my chest. Then I talked to Richard, and told him how much his life meant to me. And the feeling lifted. And then humour and laughter... and joy.
Finally he was free!
Thank you for being in my life, Richard. You've touched so many people.
Judith White
December 20, 2011
It is with great sadness that I heard of Richard's death. I knew him for all the years I worked in the UVic University Library. He would ask me to order flowers for him to send to friends, and everyone who worked in Music and Audio enjoyed helping him. He will be greatly missed.
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