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Angus Ricker Obituary
RICKER, Angus Clemens
29 November 1942 to 23 May 2024
Born at Bloomington, Indiana the 4th child of Marion and Bill Ricker. Angus was a career journalist. The family moved to Nanaimo in 1950. He won the Watchorn Shield as a top highschooler and starred at basketball. At UBC he studied history, played basketball and wrote for the Ubyssey.
He began his journalism career at the Medicine Hat News reporting local news and sports and soon moving to Sarnia and Windsor, reporting for the Windsor Star, and to the Ottawa Citizen in 1970. He moved to England in 1971 and worked with the BBC and the Financial Times in London for three years, and that stimulated his interest in political participation. He returned to Canada and edited The Commonwealth, the NDP provincial newspaper in Regina from 1975 to 1978. Then he moved to Ottawa working and writing for MPs David Orlikow (1980-88) and Stan Hovdebo (1988-93) and later represented the BC government in Ottawa.
Angus was an avid cyclist with the Ottawa Bike Club, rode in the Gatineau Hills and the Ottawa-Kingston tour. He wrote stories about his favorite journeys: PEI, Cape Breton, Gaspé, Normandy, Brittany and Scotland. In the Ottawa Citizen (Sept 12, 1993) he wrote about his ride to George Orwell's home on the Isle of Jura. Angus was a jazz fan and had a profound memory for lyrics and performers. In retirement, Angus was enthusiastic about jazz, politics, biking, basketball, George Orwell and the Boston Red Sox. Since 2020, he received very good care at Redwoods Retirement Residence. With the help of dedicated RN Carol Hickey of Nurse on Board, Angus enjoyed live music and activities, notably with his NDP colleagues.
He is survived by his brothers Karl, John (Fran) and Eric (Carolyn); sister-in-law Nancy, nephew Jörli (Irina), nieces Andrea and Mäelle (Éric), grandnieces Kaitlyn and Tosca.
Up to his final moments, he bantered, watched the news and listened to jazz. He was optimistic, unassuming, and loved by all. He died peacefully. One colleague remarked he was "a kind good man and always walked the talk for social and economic justice." Celebration of Life in Ottawa, date pending.
29 November 1942 to 23 May 2024
Born at Bloomington, Indiana the 4th child of Marion and Bill Ricker. Angus was a career journalist. The family moved to Nanaimo in 1950. He won the Watchorn Shield as a top highschooler and starred at basketball. At UBC he studied history, played basketball and wrote for the Ubyssey.
He began his journalism career at the Medicine Hat News reporting local news and sports and soon moving to Sarnia and Windsor, reporting for the Windsor Star, and to the Ottawa Citizen in 1970. He moved to England in 1971 and worked with the BBC and the Financial Times in London for three years, and that stimulated his interest in political participation. He returned to Canada and edited The Commonwealth, the NDP provincial newspaper in Regina from 1975 to 1978. Then he moved to Ottawa working and writing for MPs David Orlikow (1980-88) and Stan Hovdebo (1988-93) and later represented the BC government in Ottawa.
Angus was an avid cyclist with the Ottawa Bike Club, rode in the Gatineau Hills and the Ottawa-Kingston tour. He wrote stories about his favorite journeys: PEI, Cape Breton, Gaspé, Normandy, Brittany and Scotland. In the Ottawa Citizen (Sept 12, 1993) he wrote about his ride to George Orwell's home on the Isle of Jura. Angus was a jazz fan and had a profound memory for lyrics and performers. In retirement, Angus was enthusiastic about jazz, politics, biking, basketball, George Orwell and the Boston Red Sox. Since 2020, he received very good care at Redwoods Retirement Residence. With the help of dedicated RN Carol Hickey of Nurse on Board, Angus enjoyed live music and activities, notably with his NDP colleagues.
He is survived by his brothers Karl, John (Fran) and Eric (Carolyn); sister-in-law Nancy, nephew Jörli (Irina), nieces Andrea and Mäelle (Éric), grandnieces Kaitlyn and Tosca.
Up to his final moments, he bantered, watched the news and listened to jazz. He was optimistic, unassuming, and loved by all. He died peacefully. One colleague remarked he was "a kind good man and always walked the talk for social and economic justice." Celebration of Life in Ottawa, date pending.
Published by Victoria Times Colonist from Jun. 18 to Jun. 20, 2024.
Memories and Condolences
for Angus Ricker
4 Entries
Bill Hyslop
June 19, 2024
My condolances to Karl, John,& Eric and their families. You were Gus and my introduction to basketball 70 years ago in the driveway on Departure Bay Rd.
Andrea Ricker
June 19, 2024
RIP Uncle Gus. He will be missed. Beautiful obituary
Ed
June 18, 2024
A fantastic younger brother. He could really spin his wheels.
Karl
Maelle Ricker
June 18, 2024
Lovely obituary and memory of Angus. xoxoxo
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