Richard DICERNI

1949 - 2023

RICHARD DICERNI February 2, 1949 - August 11, 2023 "Always believe something wonderful is about to happen" - R.D. Richard Dicerni was a devoted family man, caring friend, generous mentor and remarkable public servant. He left us too soon on August 11, 2023, but as all who knew him and loved him can attest, the world is a better place for his having lived. Richard was born in Lachine, Quebec, to Jeannette Richard and Dominic Dicerni. He was a loving older brother to Caroline Dicerni, who was an early target of Richard's well-known sense of humour. Richard completed undergraduate studies at the Universite de Montreal, before moving to Ottawa to begin what would be a five decades-long career in the public service. Richard's storied career would see him rise to the highest levels of the federal and various provincial governments, academic institutions and the private sector, culminating in his appointment to the Order of Canada in 2017 in recognition of his devotion and service to his country. At the time of his investiture, he remarked that he was particularly proud of his role in the development of Canada's first National AIDS Strategy. He was also fiercely proud of the critical role he played leading the government of Canada's strategy in the 1980 Referendum on the future of Quebec in Canada. The investiture ceremony was all the more special for Richard because his mother, Jeannette, was in attendance. Jeannette was a lifelong source of support, pride and happiness for Richard, as he was for her. The fine man Richard grew up to be was the man his mother raised him to be. Richard married Ruth Bateman in 1975, and together, Richard and Ruth gave their children, Suzanne and Patrick, a storybook childhood. The family began their life together in Ottawa, but relocated to Boston, MA, for Richard to attend Harvard and earn a Masters degree in Public Administration. Returning to Ottawa in 1981, while climbing the ranks of the federal public service, Richard both delighted his children and took delight in, every one of Suzanne and Patrick's achievements and adventures. His talent for spinning make believe stories, at bedtime or on long drives, was matchless. Summers were for camping trips to his favourite childhood vacation spot on the Jersey Shore, replete with roller coaster rides and epic water slide adventures that he pretended (convincingly) to enjoy. Winters were spent on the ski hills of the Laurentians, around local hockey rinks, cheering for Patrick, or hiding his eyes in fear during Suzanne's gymnastics competitions. Richard's backyard hockey rink was the envy of the neighbourhood, because he tended to it nightly at 1:00 a.m. in the bitter Ottawa cold. In 1992, the family relocated to Mississauga when Richard joined Bob Rae's NDP government as a Deputy Minister. He subsequently worked in various high profile portfolios in Mike Harris' Conservative government. In 2003, Liberal Premier, Dalton McGuinty, asked Richard to take the helm as CEO of Ontario Power Generation. His steadfast leadership guided the organization through its most turbulent time. In 2006, he returned to Ottawa, this time as Deputy Minister of Industry. His retirement from the federal public service in 2012 afforded time and opportunity to add to the countless golf trips enjoyed over the years with Patrick, and later, David. Retirement proved a vague concept for Richard as he returned to work as the head of the Alberta Public Service at the request of Premier, Jim Prentice. He continued in that job at the request of Premier, Rachel Notley, until he once again retired in 2016. After that "retirement" he served as Chair of the RCMP Management Advisory Board, Chair of the Advisory Council at the Ivey School of Business and Chair of the Ontario Energy Board. Of his many roles, the role of grandfather was the role he was made for. Known as "Papa" to his six grandchildren, and "Grandpa Richard" to his two step-grandchildren, he was the magic behind any family gathering. He loved organizing family beach trips to Maine, family ski trips to the Laurentians, weekends at "Papa and Carole's Fun House" in Ottawa, and golf trips for the boys. During the school closures of the pandemic, he imparted his lifelong love of history to his grandchildren, delivering daily, hours-long FaceTime lessons on various historical periods and events. He and his eldest grandson, Jack, held weekly debates on current events and pressing matters of public policy right up until last month. Richard and his wife, Carole, found each other later in life and enjoyed a loving and active life together, travelling the world to golf in Scotland, hike in Morocco, bike through France, parasail in Hawaii and safari in Africa. Theirs was a true love story, and they enjoyed much laughter and many happy years together. In addition to his wife, Carole, Richard is survived by his mother, Jeannette; and sister, Caroline; children, Suzanne Dicerni (David Washburn) and Patrick Dicerni (Lindsay Knox); six grandchildren, Jack, Andy, Emmett, Isabel, Elliette and Genevieve; also, stepson, Adam Cohen (Natalie Whidden); and two step-grandsons, Sam and Theo. Richard will be dearly missed but forever remembered. He passed away after an illness he chose to keep private, facing it with his trademark optimism, humour and grace. There will be a Celebration of Richard's Life on Saturday, September 9th at 2:00 p.m. at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Should you wish, the family asks that a donation be made in Richard's name to the Charity of Your Choice.