Obituary of Richmond Charles Feere

Richmond Charles Feere 1949 – 2009 Richmond Charles Feere, better known as Rick, was born April 9th, 1949 in Swan River, Manitoba to parents Leona Bell Keetch and William Herb Feere. He was the youngest of four children. Rick passed away at sixty years of age on October 1, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta. His final place of residence was Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Rick spent his early years in Swan River. His sister Vangie remembers him at two and a half years old when his mother was looking all over for him and finally she found him in the garden. His curly, blonde hair was poking up above the potato patch. When he heard is mother calling he jumped up buck naked, covered in dirt, and started high tailing it to the neighbor’s. Banging on the door he called, "Hide Nana, mama come!” Years later "little Ricky” would play with his brother Vic’s BB gun. His favorite target was the stove pipe. Every time he hit it, soot would fly out, filling the room and everything in it. It wasn’t until he hit his father in the back of the head that he really got into trouble! Rick will be remembered for his laugh and his sense of humor. He found humor everywhere, even searching for jokes on the internet. A couple of weeks ago Rick was sitting in the kitchen with Joan and granddaughter Desiree when he went to lean back in his chair and fell flat on the floor. He laid there laughing at himself. While living in Fraser Lake, British Columbia, Rick and his friend Sonny were heading out duck hunting and this stranger overheard and asked if he could tag along. They said sure, so the stranger said he’d just run and change since he was all decked out in a three piece suit. Minutes later the stranger returned still wearing his suit, but he had added a pair of industrial boots! Off they went, jumping into the canoe – shot some ducks, and they had a great time. Finally it’s time to head home, and they were talking about the salmon run, so the stranger leans over to look and sure enough the canoe tips. Everyone goes into the water! Sonny grabs for the shotguns and yells at Rick, "Grab a shotgun!!!” Rick just laughs and says, "Stand up, Sonny, the water’s only a foot and a half deep!” Rick was a strong, hard-working man. As a heavy-duty mechanic, he worked at many mines such as Endako, Highmont, Quintette, Huckleberry, Diavik, Ledcore and lastly Western Canadian. It’s no secret that Rick had many interests: darts, quading, fishing, shooting pool, hunting, and of course golf. While golfing with his son-in-law Allan, he would wait for Allan to tee up and then ‘accidentally’ drop his clubs or tap him with a club. He also got a chuckle out of pounding Allan’s tees into the ground. Of course, he loved his music… all kinds, from Led Zeppelin to Johnny Horton’s North to Alaska. Rick’s family and many friends meant the world to him. He was always willing to help out. As a father to Lloyd and Tammy he was always there with sound advice and guidance. He would be calm and soothing in emergencies. He was their rock. As a husband of thirty-eight years he was attentive, dedicated and surprisingly romantic. He would hold Joan’s hand and serenade her while driving his diesel. He would listen to the lyrics and tell her, "That’s how I feel about you, babe.” He loved Joan with all his heart right up until the end, when he fought long and hard to stay with her. He was always more worried about her than about himself. Tammy says the only time her dad broke down in front of her was when Joan was in the hospital and he was so upset; saying, "He didn’t know what he’d do without her.” Rick’s dad was a Vet and his Legion membership was an honor and a privilege. He also served on the Executive of the Tumbler Ridge Golf Club with his buddy Doug Ennis. He enjoyed working on the course with Jay and Casey. He was a proud grandpa to Layton, Desiree and Mitchell. He loved Layton’s easy-going personality, Desiree’s teasing and Mitchell’s sense of adventure. Predeceasing Rick were his parents Herb and Leona, and his sister Betty. He will be fondly remembered by his wife Joan; his daughter Tammy (Allan), and their children Mitchell and Desiree; by his son Lloyd (Laura) and their son Layton; his sister Vangie and brother Vic and their families; as well as sister-in-law Sharon and family; and his many nieces, nephews and friends. A Memorial Service was held on October 10, 2009 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Expressions of sympathy may be made by way of donation to the "British Columbia Heart & Stroke Foundation”