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Richard Quinton

Image by Nick Andréka

RICHARD ARNOLD QUINTON

July 30, 1945 - January 13, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard on January 13, 2023 at St. Boniface Hospital.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Norah and Arnold Quinton, sisters, Bonnie Primmett and Gail Quinton-Kuschei, brother-in-law Arnold Kuschei and nephews Marc Harrison and Keith Nagam.

 

He leaves to mourn his passing Betty, his wife of 52 years; his children Tom, Sara and Jennifer (Steven); grandchildren, Henry, Wyatt, Frannie and Eddie; brother, Gary (Judy); brother-in-law Alan Primmett; sisters-in-law, Joan Prins and Sharon Nagam; many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; cousins; family friends Daisy, Jaxon, and Paul as well as his old friends.

 

Richard was the youngest of four children born in Winnipeg to Norah and Arnold. The family moved to Vancouver where Richard spent most of his childhood. He often recalled growing up in Vancouver, his paper route, spending the money he earned on doughnuts, cruising down 16th on his bike, raiding gardens and sitting in neighbours’ trees eating fruit and getting stomach aches, Lord Byng School and going to a sportsplex.

 

When the family returned to Winnipeg, he attended Churchill High School, where he got involved in sports and made many life-long friends. They still get together regularly for breakfast at the Sals on Stafford. Richard also joined the Young People’s group at St. Alban’s Anglican Church playing volleyball or anything else that was offered.

 

Richard enjoyed playing sports, especially team sports. In 1960, he was part of the team representing Manitoba in interprovincial junior cricket championship play in Vancouver. Many decades later, he was watching cricket being played in Assiniboine Park. He approached them and soon became a member of the Phoenix Cricket Club and played Senior Cricket Summer League and enjoyed the camaraderie for several years. He played in a co-ed slow-pitch league. He also enjoyed playing old-timers’ hockey out of the Riverview Community Club. He even golfed with his buddies.

 

He entertained his family by making a skating rink in the back yard. Tom and his friends would have a great time playing hockey after school, and often Tom and his buddy Scott would stay on that rink as late as they could. There was a light strung up on a tree and a light in the back lane. Sara liked the excitement of making the rink each year and walking around on it.

 

In the 1980s, Richard bought an Apple 2E computer. He loved to play Pirates of the Caribbean. Sara would listen as he gave a play-by-play of sword fights, ships sinking and recruiting hearty mates in towns! He also enjoyed playing Nintendo games, especially The Legend of Zelda.

 

There were road trips to the States with the four of us sleeping in our Chevy van, going to the Jets New Year’s Eve games at the old arena, many great times with the Coulter clan spending New Year’s Eve just south of the border or summer gatherings in Landmark. We recall times at Judy and Gary’s cottage at Great Falls, sometimes Richard working and other times wonderful family get-togethers, and helping Bonnie, Alan and family build their cottage at Hillside Beach.

 

Richard was an active member of the Federation of the Visually Handicapped. In 1989, he was a participant at the Manitoba Speakers Forum on the Status of Disabled Persons. He later supported the Manitoba Deaf-Blind Association.

 

He was a carpenter by trade and spent many years working in remote northern communities on Baffin Island, Clyde River, Frobisher Bay which is now called by its Inuktitut name, Iqaluit. He was accepted by the members of the communities. Here he discovered the beauty of working with soapstone and carved many beautiful pipes; a craft he continued throughout his life. He was involved with the Island Lake Tribal Council implementing an Aboriginal Apprenticeship Training course. He taught carpentry and assisted the students in constructing a building for a school in their own communities. We were fortunate to be able to join Richard a few times in the summer. Sara has fond memories of getting on a plane to Red Sucker Lake and Garden Hill, playing with other children and going for exhilarating rides in speed boats, where she sang along with the engine.

 

Richard was self-employed and ran his own company, Richard Quinton Construction. He was involved with NECA and Building Insights providing Energy Efficiency Audits on residential homes. He also worked as a roofing estimator for Chateau Roofing.

 

Richard loved all types of music and would have it playing non-stop. He was a very social and engaging person and enjoyed meeting people. He was respectful of others and treated everyone as equals. He was interested in politics, had strong opinions and never shied away from anything.

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of –wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air…

 

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –

And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

-John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

In accordance with Richard’s wishes, cremation has taken place, and no formal service will be held.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Bill Voigt

February 7, 2023 at 8:13 PM

Also sorry about Richard’s passing. Didn’t spend a lot of time with him over the plus 60 years we knew each other I always cared for him as I knew he cared for me I will miss him always.  Bill Voigt

Richard Hurst

January 26, 2023 at 2:10 PM

My condolences to Richard’s family, and to the families of Gail, Bonnie, and Gary. At family gatherings when we were young, Richard was always pretty quiet so I didn’t know him well. He always struck me, though, as a very gentle soul. I am sorry I didn’t get to know him better. I think I really missed out. Sincerely, Cousin Richard Hurst

Grant Sharp

January 24, 2023 at 8:13 AM

Our sincere condolences… Uncle Richard was always exceptionally kind to me over the years. Truly a straight shooter with a heart of gold and never afraid to speak his mind. He always made sure to tell me everything he thought I should hear, and maybe even a few things I shouldn’t. Into adulthood, for many years, I vividly remember him coming down to cheer us on at the Riverview 4x4 before joining us into the evening for the social to share stories. Rest easy with live.

Julien Comeault

January 24, 2023 at 12:03 AM

Thank you Richard. Thank you for always being there for all us young punks when we were boys. Thank you for being there with us when we became men. Thank you for modelling so very much of the kind of father I wanted to be for my own children. Thank you for always being so straight forward with us, and for answering all of our questions so honestly (even if we didn't believe you for decades to come). Thank you for your great taste in music that you imparted on so very many people . Thank you for the millions of great conversations, and the thousands upon thousands of pots of coffee we drank together. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your family, and for being part of mine. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you so very much for everything. To have known you, has been a great honour. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. ❤

Davis Rozitis

January 23, 2023 at 9:26 PM

I haven't seen or talked to Richard in years.   But he had a large effect on me growing up as I spent most of my teenage years hanging out at the house with Tommy.     My condolences.  He was a fine man

Dolores Romaniuk

January 22, 2023 at 5:04 PM

BJ and family. Our sincere condolences on Richard’s passing. We are thinking of you and hope your fond memories will help at this difficult time. Dolores & Moe

Charlie Coverdale

January 21, 2023 at 11:57 AM

I was saddened to learn of Richard's recent passing.  Deepest condolences to Nancy and family. I first met Richard at Churchill High School where we both attended classes.  We were not close at that time as we did not "hang out together", but I remember him well for his strong character and friendliness.  In later years Richard gave my youngest son Myles his first part time job, helping to build residential garages and we reconnected at a couple of Fort Rouge golf tournaments.  Most recently Richard and I continued to meet at the regularly held "Sals Breakfasts"attended by several long time friends.  He is greatly missed by us all. In reading Richard's obituary, I am just now learning much of the full life he lived and of the many people he touched in so many positive ways. Charlie Coverdale

Shirley Hurst

January 21, 2023 at 10:58 AM

My condolences to Richard’s family. My Mom and Uncle Arnold were not only cousins but great friends, so as a young child we spent time with the family and have fun  memories of our older second cousins and Aunt Nora. My thoughts are with you - Shirley Hurst

Bill Rayner

January 21, 2023 at 7:39 AM

So sad that Richard has left us.  I had been hoping to see him again at our upcoming 60th Reunion for our Churchill High School class.  Richard and I were friends through our high school years, going our separate ways after that, but I remember his being my best friend for a year or two. It was really interesting to read in this Ethical obituary what an interesting and rewarding life Richard had.  I didn't realize that he had been working up north, had been involved in training, or that he had experience as a public speaker.  (That explains the great tribute he gave at our 50th Reunion for a departed classmate, Jim Bain).  And it was also interesting to read how he kept up with the team sports as an adult. Richard and I talked at our 50th Reunion and at the funeral service for one of my parents, and I remember how proud Richard was that the school baseball team we were on had won the City championship.  I also remember that Richard was among the group of four of us who held what we called a "golf tournament" in the summer around 1962, four consecutive games over four days at four different public golf courses. I think it was Richard who taught me to "hop cars", and we had a lot of fun doing that during one winter on the way to school and after school, much to the annoyance of motorists and bus drivers.  We survived that, and mended our errant ways before long. Great photo, Richard.  Your smile says it all.
DEATH CARE SERVICES OF WINNIPEG INC.  Copyright 2019

Ethical Death Care (Death Care Services Inc.) is privately, independently, and locally owned. Shane Neufeld and the original team of Integrity Death Care own and manage this organisation.

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