GEORGE MARSH RICHEY

It is with extreme shock and sadness that we announce the passing of George Marsh Richey in Gibsons, B.C. on Monday, November 15, 2021. George had just finished doing what he loved most - lifting weights and then going for coffee to solve all the world problems with one of his best friends.
George was born in El Paso, Texas in 1950 and in 1968 moved with his parents (Harold and Jean) and his five brothers (John, Jim, Steve, Mike and Rob) to Cordova Bay in Victoria, B.C. He attended Claremont High School and was involved with many sports like track and football but this is where his love of wrestling began. He attended UBC and continued to wrestle as he received his Physical Education degree. George had an unwavering drive to succeed in wrestling and competed for the senior National team for four years from 1974-1977. He gave everything to being the best he could be in his sport and won two national intercollegiate titles as well as coming sixth at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in 1974. He won the Olympic trials for Greco-Roman in 1976.
George married Jan in 1982 after being together for seven years and have been married for 39 years. He went back to UBC for his teaching degree later that year and ended up in Sayward on Vancouver Island. They both taught there for three years, making many lasting friendships and connections. After Sayward, they moved to the Sunshine Coast where they continued their teaching careers, first at Madeira Park and then at Roberts Creek where he stayed until he retired in 2014. Though many students were initially afraid to be in "Mr. Richey's" class, they quickly learned that he had a very soft side. He always told his students "I'm a nice guy!" which one of his students had put on a t-shirt that he wore for years. He loved teaching, particularly PE, and was always taking his class outside for extra activity or heading into the back woods to play games, with his dog Keesha alongside them. Coaching was another of George's passions and though he could be a tough coach at times, he was always striving for his athletes to be the best they could be - work hard, have fun. He loved helping all his students believe in themselves as much as he believed in them.  
George embraced his retirement wholeheartedly, spending many hours lifting weights and going for coffee with his buddies. However, being outside in nature was his passion. He loved nothing more than barrelling down the mountain on his bike, hiking new trails, exploring the backwoods or boating on the ocean. In 2000 he summited Mount McKinley in Alaska as a fundraiser for kids living with life-threatening illnesses. George was not known for doing things moderately and loved to challenge himself in the gym to lift more weights, do more reps or go faster, higher, or further on his next endeavour.
For all his accomplishments on the wrestling mat, the gym and in the classroom, nothing meant more to him than his children - Kyla, Stuart and Connor. From the minute Kyla was born in 1989 and the twins in 1992, George was a devoted father. He loved nothing more than spending time with them outside in the yard, going for walks at the duck pond or in the woods, sharing his love of nature with them. He loved kicking the soccer ball with the kids or going for bike rides. He started coaching them in baseball, soccer, cross country, and track and field and later in wrestling for the boys during high school. George took such pride in their athletic accomplishments and was their biggest cheerleader. His voice was the loudest in the gym cheering them on and blowing his vuvuzela at Kyla's international volleyball matches. They looked to their dad for advice and direction and he was always willing to give his "two cents". He was so proud of the people they have become and so excited to become a grandfather this coming April. That little peanut will always know what an amazing grandfather they have and his guidance and life lessons will certainly be passed along to them. 
George lived life big and a huge hole has been left in the Richey family that will never be filled. Every moment of every day will seem just a little less bright without his energy and enthusiasm. He lived fully and loved deeply and that is how we will try to continue on living.  
Service will be held on Saturday, December 4th at St. Hilda's Anglican Church in Sechelt, BC.  Due to Covid restrictions and limited capacity at the church, attendance will be by invitation only. There will be live streaming of the service on the St. Hilda's web page. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Connor Richey Legacy Fund through e-transfers to crlegacyfund@gmail.com
"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." - Winnie The Pooh