RICHARD DWIGHT WILLIAMS

(June 19, 1943 - June 8, 2025) With heavy hearts we said goodbye to Ric Williams on June 8, 2025, at the age of 81. Ric is survived by his wife, Pat; his sister, Margaret; and brothers, Mike, Chris and Keven. Ric was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on June 19, 1943, to Violet and John Williams. He grew up in Alberta, and he attended the University of Alberta in Calgary. Upon graduating, he lived in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara before moving to Vancouver. In Vancouver he found the love of his life, Pat Anderson. They married in 1969 and moved to Toronto, where they built a home and a life together. Ric was a true wordsmith and enjoyed working with people, which led to a varied career in sales, marketing, training and development, management and consulting. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to work in Singapore and Europe, as well as in the US and Canada. Ric was savvy and inquisitive, with a memory like a steel trap. His ability to recall dates, names and history was his signature party trick. Ric had an indominable spirit of determination, and he absolutely loved to make people laugh. His sense of humour was a true delight; he brought a smile to all who knew him. A beloved uncle and great-uncle, he was also a father figure, a chef, a raconteur, a history buff, a sailor, a wine aficionado, a guitarist and a lifelong learner. In recent years, Ric endeavoured to learn French with admirable tenacity. He gave people second chances and worked all his life to understand himself and the world. In his later years, he faced many health challenges, and he did so with grace and dignity. He never complained, but instead focused on the beauty that surrounded him - whether in his bountiful garden or on the shores of the cottage he and Pat share on Galiano Island. The consummate host, Ric loved to entertain, and he made sure his overnight guests woke up to freshly baked scones. A true gentleman, Ric made everyone around him feel welcome and appreciated. His absence will be felt deeply by many. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 21st, from 1 - 4 p.m., in Toronto at The Granite Club, 2350 Bayview Ave.