RICHARDSON, John Angus Richardson

Having enjoyed a great life, Gus Richardson shuffled off this mortal coil on October 31, 2025, at the age of 83.

He is survived by his beloved Mavis, his wife of 32 years, his children, Keitha (Justin), Elvin-Jensen Brendan Richardson (Ingyoung), and Danielle Talson (Curtis); as well as his loving grandchildren, Marin, Bjørn, Austyn, and Carson.

Born and raised in Montreal, QC, Gus spent most of his youth in Greenfield Park -on the South Shore of Montreal.  Gus moved west in the late 1960s and spent the rest of his life in B.C. – moving between Kamloops, Kelowna, and White Rock.

Gus spent his career in public service working for both the provincial and federal governments in the equally challenging and rewarding areas of parole, corrections, mental health ,and addiction. Gus was a staunch believer in redemption and second chances and his decisions were guided by his desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives and in society as a whole.

Gus was never one to shy away from difficult conversations. He talked about everything, so we can say with absolute certainty that he wouldn’t want his friends and family to mourn him; he’d much rather be celebrated for his large and generous sense of humour, his love of life and all of its touching and amusing contradictions, and his resolute dedication to being a glass-half-full kind of guy.

Gus was loving, kind, and funny; a man who never missed a chance to tell a joke or draw out a laugh. He had a gift for friendship, collecting people as easily as he collected stories. His taste in music was as eclectic and as varied as his interests, that included golf, crossword puzzles, trivia competitions, and questionable puns.  He was seldom without CBC Radio playing in the background.

He and his wife, Mavis, travelled extensively, but cruising was definitely his favourite, followed by solitary road-trips back east that normally included a number of stops to see ball games.   Gus would want it to be clear that his first love was the Montreal Expos, and after finally making peace with their departure, he embraced the Toronto Blue Jays with equal enthusiasm and loyalty.

He will be looking down on all of us forever with a big mischievous grin, ready to emit in his giant, gentle Zeus-like bass, something simultaneously wise, shocking, absurd, compassionate, mildly appalling, and deeply human and original. Gus will be remembered most for his wit and intelligence; what we cherished most, however, was his astonishing gentleness and sensitivity. Beneath the jokey, gruff exterior lay a sweetness and guilelessness that filled our hearts.

We will miss his voice – so wonderful to listen to, whether he was speaking or singing.

Thank you, Dr Bryce and the staff at KGH for the remarkable care he received.

We will be hosting a Celebration of Life in Kelowna in either the spring or the summer, and we would love for you to come and share stories of this unique man, whom we all loved so much. Arrangements will also be made for online attendance.

Over the years, he supported several organizations and charities aligned with his professional interests. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the John Howard Society of the Okanagan, or Uniti (formerly Semiahmoo House Society).