Obituary of Richard Ormston

ORMSTON, Richard Gary, Age 71 of Halifax, unexpectedly passed on Wednesday August 16, 2023, in the QEII Health Sciences Center. Known as Rick to his family and friends, he was born in Timmins, Ontario to the late Eric and Margaret Ormston. He was a good man. He was a true man, and dutiful. He was a fisherman, a sailor, a chef, a son, an uncle, brother, husband and foremost a father. We loved him to the depths of our hearts, but he loved us deeper. We groaned, laughed, and cheered his quick wit, his dry wit, his quirky grin, and the merriment in his molten brown eyes. Tadpole, his father nicknamed him; lover boy, his friends named him for he was a lover of life. He was the best and the worst and all things in between. But above all, he was loyal, the nearest of all qualities to God. And he was ours. We did not relinquish him; we carry him forward in our hearts. He is survived by his devoted wife, Donna Morrissey; sons, Eric (Lovi Arcega) Calgary, AB; Christopher (Jenna LeBlanc) Sambro; brothers, Randal (Nancy Holme) Vancouver, BC; Ron (Fernande Devost) Saint-Hilaire, NB; sisters, Nancy Maguire, Halifax; Susan Holden (Mike) M. Sackville; nieces, Carolyn Maguire (Mike Kenna) Grand Cayman; Sarah Maguire (Brad Stronach) M. Sackville; Emma Holden; and great-niece, Makenna Holden, M. Sackville; as well as many uncles and cousins. Equally grieving his passing is Donna’s son, David (Charlene Ross) Morrissey; grandson, Bentley Morrissey, and daughter, Bridgette Morrissey. Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, August 24, from 2pm–4pm in the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron (RNSYS), 2372 Purcells Cove Rd, Halifax, NS B3P 1C7. Cremation has taken place under the care of T. J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Halifax. Donations in Rick’s memory may be made to his favourite charity, Meals On Wheels, or a charity of choice.