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RICHARD PAUL FIX

RICHARD FIX Obituary

Richard Paul FIX June 19, 1952 - July 24, 2015
Richard died peacefully in his sleep, at home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on July 24, 2015, surrounded by his family. Richard served as communications adviser for the Canadian Government in Ottawa, and the World Bank in Washington, DC. He was a passionate musician, chef, hockey/soccer fan and coach. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Hollifield, and three children: Jan of Ottawa (Sophie); Thomas and Elisabeth, his mother, Pauline (nee Bureau); sister Janet Thompson of Calgary (Robb); brother Randy of Ottawa; sister-in-law Liana of Ottawa, his nieces, nephews and grandsons. Richard's life will be celebrated in Ottawa.

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Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD FIX

35 Entries

April 7, 2016

Dear Mrs. Fix (Pauline), Janet, Randal & family

We just heard the sad news about Richard, and we want to tell you how sorry we are to hear of his passing. Please know we have many fond memories of our time when we all lived on Linton Rd. Mrs. Fix you and Mr. Fix were such good friends to Mom and Dad (Vivian and Frank Allaire).

Sincerely

Chereen (nee Allaire) Gervais and Anna Allaire

Sandra Nicholls

September 2, 2015

I was so sad to hear of this tremendous loss, and my deepest sympathies go out to all his family. I worked with Richard when he was in Communications in Ottawa, and we were also good friends back then. I will always remember his smile, his love of music, and his engagement with the world. But he will always live on in our thoughts, and fondest memories.

Sasha Detre

August 19, 2015

Dear Kathryn:
You have my deepest sympathy. Losing someone near and dear to you and your children is hard. It demands tremendous strength as well as softness.
Richard was a colleague and good friend to my husband, Laszlo (Les) Detre, and to me when we worked together in Ottawa at Employment and Immigration. I will never forget Richard's unfailing support and kindness, his willingness to listen and help, his compassion, his wit, the sparkle in his eyes and his wonderful sense of humor. His renditions of Monty Python, among others, kept me in stitches and were much better than the originals. While Richard knew when seriousness was called for, his strong sense of the absurd usually won out. He knew that life is not worth living without celebrating the moments of laughter and joy. When he spoke lovingly of you, I knew immediately that he had found the love of his life.
After my husband passed away in 2010, his mother offered this lament: "But Sasha, he is not here. He is not here!" There was nothing I could say to make her feel better; the fact was irrefutable. Those whose presence is remarkable, are remarkable in their absence.
The light of Laszlo lives on in my memories, and as each year passes, it becomes easier to remember without the emotional charge. I have learned that love never dies.
I wish you and your children all the best as you continue on your journey. I hope the intensity of grief passes swiftly, leaving only the good memories behind.
Even now, in the silence, I can hear the deep rumble of Richard's voice and his laughter in the sunlight, leaving me with the feeling that all is well.

Priya Pandya

August 11, 2015

Dearest Richard,
I am deeply saddened to hear that you have passed away. You were the most kind and supportive boss during my formative years at the world bank. You always cared and helped me grow in the most positive ways and helped me achieve my dreams. I enjoyed working for you and loved your humor, your love for music, your family, hockey and canada were so pure. Even after my world bank days you helped me with my MBA applications and always checked in to see if you could be of help.
I am getting married to a fellow Canadian and a hockey fan this fall and had just sent you an email to invite you to our wedding when I heard the news after noticing the email bounced back. I would have loved for you to meet him as you were someone who meant a lot to me. You are very missed. Thomas, Elizabeth and Kathyrn I send you my condolences and remember him being so proud of each of you and always speaking of your accomplishments with love.

Christopher Neal

August 2, 2015

Dear Kathryn and all the Fix family, My deepest sympathy to you as you struggle with this devastating loss. I was lucky enough to work with Richard for several years at the Bank, when he led communications for the data group. He was such a pro in every sense. A man of authenticity, whose life was obviously focused on you, his family. He spoke so proudly of you, along with his riffs on music and poetry, and Canadian politics. There was always laughter in his comments and an irresistibly mischievous smile. We had fun working together with NatGeo on a color map to illustrate the Millennium Development Goals in 2004, among other things. A fine colleague, a leader and a team player who managed projects without fussing, got it done right every time, and didn't care who got the credit. Everyone who knew him is deeply saddened.

Bud Buonato

July 31, 2015

My deepest condolences to Richard's family. I was lucky enough to get to know Richard and Thomas through hockey and coached with him a few seasons back. He was a wonderful man and great coach. Always the gentleman and a class act.

Karen Walton

July 30, 2015

Randy and family - my condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.

Lise Kupke

July 30, 2015

Richard always brought levity to the room, even conducting routine World Bank business. Yet, he could be counted upon always to handle emergency communications. He is missed by his colleagues at the Bank. Rest in Peace, Richard.

Richard in Charleston in August 2014

July 30, 2015

My sincere thanks to all for their comments in the guest book.
Best,
Kathryn Hollifield

July 29, 2015

Condolences to Richard's wife and kids, to my Aunt Pauline and cousins Janet and Randy. Our thoughts are with you.

Evelyn Fix, Montreal, Quebec

July 29, 2015

So sad for all the family , i am his cousin from Montreal , never meet him or maybe once . xxx

Joanne & Brian McMurray

July 29, 2015

Randy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Virginie Bocard

July 28, 2015

It's hard to believe that Richard is gone. He was so looking forward to retired life. I've known him only for a short period of time, but I have good memory of our encounters. I will remember the big hug he gave me on his farewell party at the Elephant & Castle. We had a good time. All my condolences to the family and friends.

July 28, 2015

Its comforting to read the condolences from Richard's colleagues at the World Bank. They echo the attributes of what we former work colleagues so admired in Richard as a "boss" and as a friend. May light eternal shine upon him.

Branth Buckwell

July 28, 2015

My deepest sympathy to you Kathryn and your family on the loss of a great soul. I met Richard in the 80s and we became good friends. To quote A.A. Milne from Winnie the Pooh my fondest memory of Richard is , It is more fun to talk to someone who doesn't use long, difficult works but rather short easy words like What about lunch?

Nancy/Roger Lee/white

July 28, 2015

Our sincere condolences. Richard was a wonderful colleague at EIC/HRDC with whom we enjoyed working very much. Our thoughts are with his family.

Jacques Faille

July 28, 2015

Richard has now joined some of his old partners in crime from Public Affairs, EIC. People like MariGayl Lanctot and Les Detre to name but a few.

My most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy.

Amy Curry

July 28, 2015

I so enjoyed Richard's wry intelligent wit; sharing a Guinness as he recounted his musical past; his love for all things hockey; and most of all his ability to lighten the space around him. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy, Amy

Peter Tobin

July 28, 2015

My thoughts and prayers are with you Janet.

Matty G

July 28, 2015

I was not blessed with much hockey skill so my job was to crowd the net. One of my favorite goals was when I was standing in front of the opposing goalie trying to disrupt his line of sight. All of a sudden a shot ricochets off my butt and in to the net. I turn around and see Dick Fix smiling his impish grin, it being apparent that he put the puck exactly where he intended. RIP, Fixer.

Larry Fix

July 28, 2015

My condolences to Richard's wife, Kathryn, to his family: Jan, Thomas and Elizabeth, to my Aunt Pauline, and to my cousins Janet and Randy. My thoughts are with you.

Robin & Brenda Berard

July 28, 2015

Randy and family,

So very sorry to hear of Richard's passing. You and your family are in our prayers

Carl Hanlon

July 27, 2015

Dear Kathryn and family, Richard was a wonderful colleague and friend in Ottawa and Washingtin. He loved his family dearly and was so proud of all of you. He will be forever in our thoughts. With deepest sympathy. Carl

Tom Kelly

July 27, 2015

I had the pleasure of working with Richard at the Income Security Programs Branch (HRDC). He was a wonderful boss, who taught us all well and enjoyed having a good time. My wife and I also enjoyed many nights watching Ryan's Rush play in the Ottawa area before Richard left for the US. RIP Richard.

July 27, 2015

Randy and family,

Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Jim, Monique and Kyle Cooke

Jeannie Murphy

July 27, 2015

My condolences to the family at this difficult time

Charlie Schueller

July 27, 2015

So sad to hear of Richards passing. I enjoyed working with him very much.

Bill and Betty Yvorchuk

July 27, 2015

Dear Pauline and family,
Please accept our most sincere sympathy on the death of your son, Richard. May time and fond memories help heal the sorrow you are feeling today,

Sincerely,

NACER MEGHERBI

July 27, 2015

I had the pleasure to work with you and you were truly a pro, friend, colleague and always had a good humor. Talking sports was always fun. You took a good care of your team and always had a good advice for everyone. Your were always available to us when we needed help in presenting/communicating. Thank you for ever Richard for everything and I will dearly miss you.

Michele Egan

July 27, 2015

Farewell Richard. You were a great colleague and a good friend with a sense of humor and pragmatic common sense that got us all through some rough patches. My condolences to the family at this difficult time.

Jomo Tariku

July 27, 2015

Dearest Richard. You were a great boss, colleague, mentor but above all a dear friend. You meant a lot to me and my family for so many reasons. I pray for your family in this difficult times of grieving. Your booming laughter will always be in my memory. I feel honored to sit in the office you occupied and did great work for so many years here at the World Bank and I hope to build on your legacy. You have left a big chair to fill. Goodbye my friend.

Shaida Badiee

July 27, 2015

So sad to hear that Richard will no longer be among us. He will be missed for his many qualities, joyful nature, his music, love for his family, and being a great friend and colleague.

Debbie Fix

July 27, 2015

I am so sad to hear of Richard's passing. I remember our many visits to Ottawa while growing up, to visit our cousins. Rest in Peace Richard. Aunty Pauline and family, you are in our thoughts. Debbie, Frank and family

Mark Winik

July 26, 2015

Very sad to hear of Richard's passing. I will always remember his warm smile, his dedication as a coach and his passion for hockey. I was fortunate enough to have called him friend.
May the support of family and friends be a comfort to you in this difficult time.

Quartsz, just showing you and I

Bob Thomas

July 26, 2015

Farewell Richard. Thanks for all our great times together. Your 'Weight' is over, you're there, no longer 'Knocking On Heaven's Door'. The Love Potion #9 did its trick!

Bob (and Ginette) Thomas

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