Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1944
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Richard Waddington Obituary
Richard McGregor Waddington, age 75 years, passed away with family by his side on February 13, 2020, at the TBRHSC.
Although Dick was born in South Porcupine, Ontario on December 5, 1944, he was raised a Current River boy, coming to Thunder bay as an infant to join his father with his mother and older brother.
Dick attended Current River Public School (Claude Garton), then went on to Lakeview High School, became an Active Naval Reservist spending two years in the East. Upon return, Dick spent his entire life within a three-block radius of "the Swamp" now named "Dick Waddington Park."
Dick was best known for his years on City Council. First elected in 1979 Dick went on to serve some 21 active years as the Alderman of Current River. He was primarily responsible for many improvements not only to the Current River ward, but the city as a whole. In 1972, while he was President of the Current River Recreation Association along with Alderman Bill Morgan brought the Current River Arena into being, this proved to be the centerpiece of the development of Current River Park, which soon included six baseball diamonds, a tennis court, soccer fields, and playground. In the subsequent year working with MPP Taras Kozyra they managed to find funding for the construction of the Current River Recreation Centre. In addition to this Dick initiated a pedestrian/bike pathway around Boulevard Lake soon to be expanded with wings into the Current River Arena grounds and Toledo Street, at the same time managing to find the funds necessary to construct the North End Soccer Complex. Dick was also known for his time as chairman of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board and in 1991 started the Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps with the intent of bringing the police and youth together.
Dick was also known for his love of Little League Baseball. He coached, managed or umpired for some 35 years. For twenty-five of those years, he travelled with teams of 11 & 12 year olds playing games throughout the American mid-west, often for 2 to 3 weeks or more from Minnesota to Arkansas. He also managed several minor hockey teams, travelling with them as well.
Dick is survived by his very much loved wife Carol, son Kevin (Joanne) grandchildren Kayla and Cameron and grand dog Charlie, brother Duane (Dene), sister Diane (Ross Fowler), and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Richard and Agnes his older brother Ken (Barb) and younger brother Glen (Joanne).
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Current River Recreation Centre, 450 Dewe Avenue. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Thunder Bay Police Youth Corps or the Current River Recreation Centre in Dick's memory.
may be made through www.nwfainc.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Waddington
Sponsored by Northwest Funeral Alternative.
18 Entries
Pat Brimblecombe
March 8, 2020
Our hearts and thoughts
are with You and Yours,
In friendship and sympathy.
Peter Stevens
February 26, 2020
They say behind every great man there is a woman. That would be Carol. I only knew him from the city. Bottom line. Thank You for all you did. I am certain you made all your loved ones very proud. My condolences to all that cared.
Taras Kozra
February 25, 2020
I was very sad to learn of Dick's passing and send my condolences to his family and friends. Nearly twenty years working with him on city council and appreciated his dedication to Thunder Bay and his special love for Current River. He was always fair informed and willing to get things accomplished. He will be missed.
Sincerely, Taras Kozyra
Tim Pattyson
February 25, 2020
I had Mr. Waddington as a baseball coach and did the travel trip through Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin twice with the Current River All-Stars. We also went to Timmins with the team for the Ontario championships. I will always be grateful for those memories and the effort Mr. Waddington put into the Current River community.
Ian Robson
February 24, 2020
I had a great amount of respect for Dick. He was a straight forward no nonsense personality that without a lot of fanfare simply got things done. He sat on the Police Youth Corps board of directors along with others including retired police chiefs, city councillors and ordinary citizens. I was happy to have been associated with him in Corps affairs and would remind those reading this that he was one who was instrumental in starting the Corps in 1992-3. He certainly will be missed.
Ian Robson, past president TBPYC.
Jeff Gehl
February 24, 2020
I was the luckiest kid to be able to play hockey and baseball on the Field of Dreams that Mr. Waddington made at the end of Dewe Avenue. I was truly blessed to be coached by Mr. Waddington through the best baseball experience that a pre-teen kid and his buddies could ever have on two occasions, barnstorming through the states for a whole month without parents! His guidance through a Canadian championship in baseball will never be forgotten. My condolences to you Carol and Kevin and the rest of your family.
Barb Kukko
February 23, 2020
Dick wasn't just a talker but a doer. He was indeed a rare breed of politician who actually did leave a wonderful, lasting legacy for the Current River community. He came to our board meetings and was responsible for making sure we at North End Community Centre were given the money to add on a much needed addition as a storage area for our equipment and Northend Minor hockey equipment even when he was no longer in office.
He wasn't focused on cutbacks for his constituents but on how he could add to their quality of life. Somehow he was able to harness the positive power of city council and build on the pride of the people in his ward by being actively involved, talking to parents, working with the children
and seeing for himself what was needed.
The North End, as part of the Current River Ward has truly missed his positive passion.
Barb Kukko
Diane Fowler
February 21, 2020
Mr. Waddington, Richard, Dick,Coach and many other names you were known by I knew you as Ricky. Will miss you. Love and hugs from your favourite sister. Carol, Kevin and his family will always be held close.
February 21, 2020
So sorry for your loss. He was a great person. He took both of our boys on road trips when they played baseball in their younger days. They have great memories of him!!
Brian & Sharon Mallon
February 20, 2020
Carol and family, our thoughts and prayers are with at this very sad and difficult time.
Fran Desserre
February 20, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. His pain may be over but the pain continues for the rest of the family. Rest in peace. Fran and Ray Desserre and Jean Langen.
Pat Johansen
February 20, 2020
Growing up in Current River I have known Mr. Waddington and the many wonderful things he had happen for the Community. He was always willing to help with activities when asked. Mr. Waddington was Mr. Little League for years, seeing that all had the opportunity to play ball. Conversation at Robin's (Hodder) was always lively were issues were sorted out.
Mr. Waddington will be missed.
My sympathy to Carol and the family.
sherry huston
February 19, 2020
As A Friend Of Mr. Waddington My Deeply Sorry For Your Loss He Was A funny Man To Talk To and he listen to your problems too Again sorry to the Waddington Family He is in good hands now
Bruce ,Lynda, Jamie, Robbie Symington
February 19, 2020
Dick and I go back to the days of the swamp and neighbours since we were Kids. A friendship that was never boring over the years. My family and I have been the beneficiary of his civic dedication through the years. I believe like many others that he was one of; if not the most fiscally yet progressive Municipal councilors we have ever had. His sense of Humour (dry) gave him the ability to work with others to reach a goal more times than not.His dedication to sports in Current River and the City will be a lasting Memorial to him and his family. Carol Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and time as always will heal and soften the void.
RIP Dick
Kent&Donna Stevens
February 19, 2020
We were just as the Current River Carnival and were speaking of Dick and our memories of him. He did well for his community. Our condolences to his family and all those whose lives he touched. Thank you for your service Dick.rest well.
Keith Helget
February 19, 2020
To The Waddington Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Keith Helget
A Westfort Little League coach in the 70's
Tom Reid
February 19, 2020
The city of Thunder Bay was very fortunate to have had Dick as an alderman. In my opinion he was the best alderman the city has ever had.
Tom Reid
Ryan Ferris
February 19, 2020
This is sad. I was one of those lucky ones to have been a part of a little league baseball team he coached. I have great memories of our trip through the Mid-west playing baseball.
Mr. Waddington did a great deal for Thunder Bay and the Current River community for which he will be remembered.
My sincere sympathy Carol Waddington and family.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Memorial Events
for Richard Waddington
Funeral services provided by:
Northwest Funeral Alternative428 Balmoral Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5G8