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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
RICHARD, Michael Thomas, M.D, FAANS, FRCS(C), Neurosurgeon - Michael passed away peacefully at home in Ottawa on June 13, 2023 in his 88 year with loved ones by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Jean-Thomas Richard and Margaret Richard (Maloney), his sisters Mary-Ann, Suzanne, Maria and Adele, his sister in-law Lise and his nephew Jean-Pierre. He is survived by his brothers John (Lilly), Pierre and Tom. Michael will be greatly missed by his son, Michael Conway (Michelle), his grandsons Nicholas and William and his longtime partner and companion Karen Whiteside. He will also be sadly missed by his nephew Marc Richard (Trish Brady), his nieces Natalie Abounehme (Eddy), Christine Demers, and Anique Simpson (Adam) and all their children.
Michael grew up in Sandy Hill and spent much of his youth at the Boys Club (now the Boys and Girls Club) at Mink Lake and under the guidance and friendship of Fred McCann learned many life skills, camaraderie and love of nature. He also enjoyed his time in the Navy Reserves sailing up the western coastline.
He was a graduate of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine Class of 1960. Following a rotating internship and two years of general surgery residency he went to the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where he would complete his neurological training under the legendary Dr. Robert Knighton. In 1967 he returned to Ottawa to practice Neurosurgery and joined the Faculty at the University of Ottawa. In 1977 Dr. Richard was appointed Head of Neurosurgery at the Ottawa General Hospital, a position he held for 23 years. He was Chair of the University Division of Neurosurgery from 1987 – 1997 and in 2003 was appointed Clinical Investigator – Neurosciences at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
The Dr. Michael T. Richard Neurosurgery Endowment Fund was established jointly by Dr. Richard and the University of Ottawa in 2008. The intent of the fund is to provide financial support to Neurosurgery residents who have a proven record of medical research, preferably in the Neurosciences, and who wish to pursue their research further.
Michael devoted his life to the practice of medicine. During his career, he was a most successful, bilingual and influential neurosurgeon always available to his residents and teaching skills and theory in the operating room. To his residents he was more than a teacher of neurosurgery. He instilled in them a strong sense of responsibilities of the neurosurgeon as a complete physician and as a neuroscientist. As a surgeon, he saved legions of patients or gave them a better life.
He was a man of many interests and talents. He played university football for the Gee Gees, he was an equestrian jumper, skied avidly, played tennis and golfed. He was a pilot, an amateur mechanic and rode a Harley Davidson. He was a farmer, on the family farm or the farm he owned in Metcalfe, who loved animals and especially his dogs. He enjoyed fishing in Northern Ontario. He knew how to throw a party. Along the way he formed and maintained countless friendships that lasted his lifetime. He was a doer and a problem solver to friends in need. Historically he may be remembered as a skilled and dedicated neurosurgeon but for so many he will also be remembered as a kind, generous and loyal friend and neighbour. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Aviation Museum, 11 Aviation Parkway, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 6 - 9 pm with words of remembrance at 7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa or a charity of your choice for children would be appreciated. (Legacy 16 Jun 2023)
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