DONALD (DON) HENRI RICHARD

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend Donald (Don) Henri Richard on April 11, 2026 after a short but valiant battle with cancer.

He was predeceased by his mother Rita and stepmother Linda, both of whom he lost to cancer during his life. He is survived by loving wife Joanne, as well as the family and grandchildren he loved – including father Gilbert, sister Colette (Kevin), sister-in-law Diane (Ray), children Neil (Erica) and Erin (Jorden), grandchildren Maisie, Emilia, and Ernest, niece and nephew Kelly and Kurtis, and other family and friends. 

Don was born on June 14, 1962 to Gilbert and Rita in Winnipeg. They moved to Regina for a few years and returned to Winnipeg in Don’s youth. He grew up in Charleswood and later attended school at St. Paul’s High School (Class of 1980). A few of the interests that kept him busy in this phase of life included family camping trips, sailing lessons in Gimli and Ninette, and playing hockey.

He met Joanne in the spring of 1982 and quickly fell in love. They married in September 1984, living in St. Vital. They eventually moved to St. Norbert and later built a home in Richmond West, a testament to their hard work and diligence. It was there that they raised their children and lived for the past 31 years.

From an early age, Don fell in love with rock and roll music. A metalhead through-and-through, you’ll rarely see photos of Don without his trademark shoulder-length hair. Through his teenage years and adulthood, he attended many concerts and spent countless hours listening to albums over evenings of deep conversation with Joanne. His and Joanne’s music collection became a musical gateway for their two children throughout each of their own youth and teenage years. Later in life, Don took particular enjoyment in sharing his love of metal and stories of great musicians with any newcomers to his house, making for plenty of interesting dinner-table conversations.

Don spent his entire career working in the print industry, primarily as a bindery operator at local printers including Intercollegiate Press, Printcor/ Paper Chasers, and Hignell/ Unigraphics. Don retired in 2022; and though retirement was relatively brief, he found several new passions in life during it.

He was blessed to enjoy time in retirement with three grandchildren; though he maintained his favourite spot on the couch, he loved sitting with them, watching them play, and spoiling them with sharing his favourite snacks and other treats. He was the gateway to ice-cream for his granddaughters, and there is no turning back.

In retirement, he also took up volunteering at Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, where he quickly fell in love and found enjoyment in direct animal rehabilitation (his favourite perhaps was working in the hawk pen with the raptors), in interacting with the staff and volunteers, and in simply helping around the facility in whatever way he could.

Don took much pride in the accomplishments of his children, from sporting achievements, to schooling and extra-curricular accomplishments, and eventually their careers. Even in his final days, he continually shared his desire not to be pitied and for us all to continue working hard and make sure we care for our families. We will ensure to carry that forward and make him proud.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family and those close to him. We were incredibly lucky to have him in our lives. We love you and we miss you.

In lieu of flowers, please simply take a special moment to express your love to those close to you. If you are so inclined, consider a donation in Don’s memory to Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre (wildlifehaven.ca), an organization and cause that were dear to Don’s heart, or to CancerCare Manitoba (cancercare.mb.ca), as we know cancer truly touches us all.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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