RICHARDS, Ronald 'Bucky' Richards - In the morning of August 14, 2021 Ronald 'Bucky' Richards Sr. passed away in his Oshawa home surrounded by his loving wife Mary and children at the age of 86.
Born in Oshawa to Cecil ‘Ivan’ Richards and Muriel Richards née Farrow.
Those new to Oshawa in the last 40 years might not recognize the name Richards and its importance to the sporting history of the city.
Oshawa residents who grew up during the 70s and 80s though are likely familiar with the Richards Family and their Olympic level sporting achievements.
Three generations of Richards’ grace the walls of the Oshawa Sports Hall of Fame now at the Tribute Communities Centre.
Bucky is one of four in the family whose portrait hangs on those walls.
Father to Randall and Ron Jr., both Olympic level Ski Jumpers, as well as Jason who graces the halls of the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the late Jeffrey, Bucky and his family have made an immense mark on the sporting history of this city.
During the 1930s in North Oshawa, where the Trillium Trails banquet facility and Treetop Eco-Adventure Park sit, Bucky’s father Cecil helped found the Oshawa Ski Club.
It was on those hills that Buck first cut his teeth in the skiing world. He would go on to win Ski Jumping championships in Ontario in the 1960s and early 70s as well as North American titles in '69 and '70.
It was from these wins and his training programs that led him to become the manager of the Canadian national team for two Olympiads in ‘72 and ‘76 as well as the driving force behind the opening of the Thunder Bay ski jumping centre.
Bucky was also a technical delegate for ski jumping at numerous world cups and the 1988 Olympics in Calgary.
The name Bucky comes from his father and has passed down 3 generations to his son Jason, grandson Carter and great-grandson Oliver.
Bucky is predeceased by his son Jeffrey and leaves behind his wife Mary née Roznik, sister Elayne, sons Randall and wife Karen, Jason and wife Robynne and Ron Jr and wife Pam, grandchildren Tyler and wife April, Torri, Carter, Reese, Autumn, Aspenn, Kitz, Arye and Innzbruk as well as great grandchildren Fayth, Andee and Oliver.
He will be deeply missed by his friends and family.
Viewing will be on Monday, August 23 at MOUNT LAWN CEMETERY from 2-4 and 6-9 P.M. with a private service to be held the following day for family members only. Please call the funeral home to register a time for visiting.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Lakeridge Health Oshawa Palliative Care Unit or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
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