Richard Cameron Ferguson

Our Lord has called his angel (well, maybe not always) back to Him.

Passing in his 84th year, Richard is predeceased by his parents, Herminie Hétu of St-Sulpice and Richard Ferguson of Montreal, Richard leaves behind his wife and best friend Ola (Robertson) of 59 years, his daughters Deborah (Gerry Gauthier) of Oakville, ON, Valerie (Kevin Richards) of Perth, Australia and his son Bruce (Sophie Lavoie) of Ste. Anne de Bellevue, QC. He also leaves behind his sister Edith (deceased Alan Rief) of Beaconsfield, QC and brother Gerald (Huguette Brisson) of Chicoutimi, QC. He is also survived by his grandchildren Geoff (Mia), Matthew (Luisa), Adam, Erin, Alexia, Jasmine and Olivia; niece and nephews Karen (Glen McGill), Mark (Carole Desgagnes), Malcolm (Louise Lapointe), Brian (Michelle Rondeau) as well as his many cousins.

Life Story of Richard Cameron Ferguson

Richard was born in Montreal, QC, attending french grade school and english Catholic High School to become perfectly (any other way for Richard?) bilingual; later attending both McGill then Cornell University graduating with a degree in agriculture. He excelled at everything he attempted including playing sports, earning his “Letters” for track and field, swimming and football.

The family, at that time, rented a house in Tadoussac, Quebec and spent their summers there and during the summer of 1952, he met the hotel manager’s new secretary, one Ola Robertson from New Carlisle, Quebec and from then on, wasn’t interested in anyone else. They married on September 25, 1954 in Montreal, bought a house in Laval and had three children: Debbie, Valerie and Bruce and a dog named Neno. While living in Laval, he and Ola made fast and lifelong friends: Timmy & Bob MacLellan, Rosemary & Gibby Allan, Shirley & Harvey Jensen and many more.

In his working life, he was deeply involved the horticultural/agricultural and chemical industry; starting in Montreal, moving to Markham, Ontario, then on to Regina, retiring in the early 90’s from Hoechst Canada.

Richard’s passion was sailing, taking a course on navigating by the stars just before retirement and sailed at every opportunity; he learned to scuba dive in a pool in Regina and then rebuilt a house (in St. Donat, Quebec) after he retired.

Children out of the house, in came the cats, not all at once of course, but over the years, there were many, he loved his cats! His days weren’t complete unless he started each day with giving them their treats.

He spent his earlier summers coaching baseball and winters skiing as a Ski Patroller. After retirement he enjoyed a good game of golf (we’ll not mention the bad), winters curling at the local arena, downhill and cross country skiing, raising his orchids, collecting good wines just to name a few.

Richard passed doing the things he loved best, doing his daily chores around the house he built and loved.