Obituary of Jeremy James Richardson

JEREMY JAMES RICHARDSON June 3, 1938 - January 22, 2020 On Wednesday, after a valiant 14 month battle with cancer, Jeremy died at the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Toronto. His beloved partner, Lynda Palazzi, was by his side. His daughter, Clare Richardson and her two children, Cooper and Morgan Brown arrived from British Columbia in time to share loving farewells. Jeremy was an incredible source of love and support for his family near and far and will be missed beyond words. Born in Altrincham, Cheshire, during World War II, the absence of his father, Ernest, was keenly felt by his mother and the family. It left a lasting impression upon Jeremy and fostered his life-long love of history. He was proud of his family’s military service which included serving under the Raj in India. A graduate of the London School of Economics, with a Master’s Degree from the University of Sydney, Jeremy began his married life with Sonia in England, subsequently moving to Australia and Canada to pursue his love of teaching. Their daughter, Clare, born in the UK, was raised in Canada and is the mother of Cooper and Morgan Brown. All live in British Columbia and were a great joy to their grandfather. In addition to his love of teaching economics and geography, Jeremy was proud of his role coaching both rugby and sailing. For many years he lived his dream of sailing around the world with some very special friends as well as climbing mountains with his beloved friend Patrick. Jeremy’s career in Canada, spanning more than three decades, was a tribute to his focus on excellence. As teacher, Vice Principal and then Principal of the East York Board’s first Adult Learning Centre, he was justifiably proud of his transition from a union leader - he was president of the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation - to Superintendent of Schools and Community Services. His second wife, Janet, died in 2015 after being nursed by Jeremy during a long bout of cancer. He and Janet had a successful consulting practice after they both retired from their roles of Superintendent with the Toronto Board of Education. After her death, Jeremy worked with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre as part of a dedicated team on person-centered care, focused on improving the quality of care for patients and their families. For 13 years he also held the role of Treasurer in his condominium development. In 2017, Jeremy fulfilled a life-long dream. He travelled to Egypt to replicate some of the experiences detailed by his father, Ernest, during his war experiences as an engineer in the Middle East. For ten days he travelled down the Nile alone with a guide, ending his adventure with four days on the SS Soudan, the original steam ship repaired by his father and recently refurbished to use as a tourist highlight. Jeremy loved every minute of the trip and for him the great highlight was being allowed to see the engine room! The last three years have been filled with travel with his cherished new partner, Lynda Palazzi, who shared his passion for education, adventure and lifelong learning. In addition to Lynda, Clare, Cooper and Morgan, Jeremy leaves behind his sister Penny, brother-in-law, Ian, two brothers, Allan and Ian, and many cousins, nieces and nephews all over the world. He was the cornerstone of the Richardson family in Canada, the UK and Australia, often considered the head of the family. Norma, Lynne and Brian, siblings of his late wife Janet, were also part of his extended family as were Andrew and Stephanie, children of Lynda. Jeremy maintained a prodigious correspondence with all as well as with his many friends. He was a powerful, brilliant personality who impacted all who knew him. Although he knew he had lived a rich and fulfilling life, touching all who knew him and traveling the world, Jeremy had many more plans and so much more living to do. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the ocean and seas he loved, in full view of the mountains he conquered. A Celebration of Jeremy’s life will be held at a later date and we request any donations in his honour to the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Toronto where he received extraordinarily compassionate care, or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Lynda, Clare and his family and friends are eternally grateful to the Hospice staff and volunteers. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.