Richard Theodore de Vette

Born on June 11th, 1966, he was the fifth child of Leo and Annette de Vette, and grew up on Wolfe Island near Kingston before going to the University of Guelph to study Biological Science with a minor in Microbiology.

While studying (and partying) at university, he met his future wife, Jennifer Johnston, and the two were married in 1997. They settled down in Guelph after their marriage and had two children, Matthew and Anna de Vette-Johnston.

Richard spent most of his adult life working for Green Horizons Group of Farms. He spent 36 years with the company, working his way up from a field hand to a general-purpose problem solver who was critical to the function of the business. He did everything from field prep to machine repair to pipe laying to harvesting, and only stopped going to work near the very end of his battle with cancer.

Richard was a lover of the outdoors, and enjoyed fishing, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. At home he maintained his vegetable garden and kept well-stocked birdfeeders for the local wildlife to visit - passions he has passed on in part to his children. He was also an avid sports fan, following Hockey, Baseball, and the NFL (Go Bills). He loved and was loved by the many cats, guinea pigs, dogs, and one hamster brought into the family over the years (despite how he may have protested).

Richard was preceded to Heaven by his father Leo, and is survived by his wife Jennifer, his children Matthew and Anna, his mother Annette, his brothers Jim (Nora), Andy (Joanne), John (Henriette), Dan (Marty), and his sister Linda (Chris), as well as his nephew Travis. He will also be dearly missed by many other aunts, uncles, and cousins from both sides of his family.

His funeral will be held on April 11th at Gilbert Macintyre & Son Funeral Home Hart Chapel, with a public visitation starting at 4 PM, a Celebration of Life at 5 PM, followed by a reception at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers you can make donations either to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada, or to the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital.

Richard was a light and a rock in the lives of many, and he will be dearly missed.