John Edward Richards of Tara, passed away at Southampton Care Centre, on Friday, July 5, 2024, in his 91st year.
Loving brother of Donald (Marilyn) Richards of Tara, Lorraine (Art) Proud of Kitchener, and brother-in-law of Doreen Richards of Scarborough. Uncle Jack will be missed by his many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother Charlie Richards, his sisters Beth Cornett and Dorothy Richards in infancy, his brother-in-law Barry Cornett, and his parents Lorne and Florence (McReynolds) Richards.
John Edward was born Thursday, July 20, 1933 to Lorne and Florence (McReynolds) Richards. John was the second eldest of the Richards family: Beth, Lorraine, Charlie, and twins Don and Dorothy (in infancy). The Richards family lived on a mixed farm in Arran Township, and John attended school at Hall’s Corner until he was diagnosed with a childhood disability when he began fully working with his dad on the family farm. When John’s father Lorne was eighty, he was still farming, and John, Lorne and his brother Don all farmed together. They had over 100 cattle and farmed 400 acres. They bought a Ford 8600 blue cab tractor that John was so proud of. In 1979 when the seatbelt law came into effect, John received a doctor’s note that he did not have to wear a seatbelt, which he still carried in his wallet to this day. When Lorne passed away, John moved to Owen Sound, living in an apartment independently. He enjoyed going to the Owen Sound Mall and walking around. John then moved to Elgin Abbey in Chesley, and in the fall of 2023, he moved to Southampton Care Centre.
John enjoyed listening to classic country music such as Lawrence Welk, Johnny Cash, and Stompin’ Tom Connors, always singing along and tapping his toes. John could often be found singing in the tractor to the radio, and sometimes so loud that he couldn’t hear when someone was talking to him outside the tractor. John loved Nevada tickets. Typically, when someone buys Nevada tickets, they won’t let you leave the store. However, John bought them so often that they would let him take them home, and bring them back to the store he bought them from! John liked watching game shows, with Definition and Price is Right being his favourites. In fact, he planned his lunch break on the farm at the right time so he was able to be inside to watch both shows. John liked fig newtons, so much so that he kept them for himself and didn’t share them with his family. He spent many holidays with Don and Marilyn’s family, and he was very close with all of his nieces and nephews, and they all called him Uncle Jack.
John had a special skill in that he could recite the alphabet backwards and could say it front to back and back to front quicker than most could say it normally. He was always a textbook on everyone’s birthdays. He remembered all of his siblings, nieces and nephews, and his great nieces and nephews’ birthdays, and the age they were turning. John loved to joke around and had a dry sense of humour. He would laugh at his own jokes (which most of his family agreed weren’t the funniest jokes). However, his infectious laugh at the end of his joke made all of his family laugh.
A memorial service honouring John’s life will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 12 noon, with visitation one hour prior. Inurnment in Hillcrest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Diabetes Canada or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
My deepest sympathy to the Richard’s family. I miss our morning talks before everyone else made it down for breakfast and your laugh that echoes into the kitchen… bingo, horse racing, bowling, I always had to come out and see what you where up to. John, you always had away of making me laugh❤️ all my love
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Family. You will always have your memories of him.
My sincere condolences to the rest of our family. John was fortunate to have you all in his life as you were to have him. Sorry I live so far away as I would wish to be there too. He was so much like my brother of the same name.
Our sincere sympathy.
Sending our condolences to the Richards family.
Deepest Sympathy to the Richards family….Remember Jack so much from Hall,s Corner School!
The legendary laugh will never be forgotten
Sending you my condolence to the Richard family. I remember alot of great times with Jack on the Gunn farm. He lived a long happy life,hold on to the memories.
Thinking of you From the Hall family our deepest sympathies to the Richards family during this difficult time.
Condolences to the Richard’s Family,will always have good memories of Jack and his humor.
Our sincere condolences to you all, always enjoyed our visits with Jack when Mom was at Elgin Abby. Our Hall,s Corner Neighbour. May he rest in peace.
Sending my sympathy to the Richards family. I’m sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. I remember being at his house with my parents when I was a child. He was always funny and loved to tease me.
We will miss you Uncle Jack. Will always remember you fondly for speeding through the alphabet faster going backwards than I could do going forwards. Also how you would scare me as a child when you would mention how if you grabbed me with your left hand, you might not be able to let go.
Unfortunately, we are traveling in Spain and will miss the funeral, but you will be in our prayers.
So sorry to hear of Jacks passing. My favourite memory is when I would see him and I would say “Hi Jack” and he would answer “Only on Airplanes”. My condolences to the family.
His sense of humor and morning songs will be forever in my memories. condolences to his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind
My condolences to the entire Richard’s family. I missed John’s sense of humor after Elgin Abbey closed. Will always remember how he could recite the entire alphabet backwards then say “I betcha you can’t do that”! Then give his big belly laugh when I couldn’t get past Z.
My deepest sympathy to the Richards Family. I met John when he was a resident at Elgin Abbey. He loved Fri afternoon bingo and everytime B4 was called he always said “after”!
Our deepest condolences to the Richard’s Family, you are in our thoughts, Uncle Jack will be dearly missed, may all of the fond memories help you through this hard time ❤️
My sympathies on John’s passing, he often had a witty comeback that brought a smile to everyone