Richard Chretien

With sadness, we announce the passing of Richard Chretien, 82 years, on August 25, 2023. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he moved to Lorne Park, Ontario as a young boy. He trained to become an illustrator and commercial artist like his father and together they travelled by train from Lorne Park to the TDF and ADS Studios in downtown Toronto, walking together up Yonge Street to Davenport Road to their studios. Richard thrived on developing new skills. He was a photographer, woodworker, pen & ink drawer, water colour and airbrush artist. His work is in the Ottawa National Museum of Natural Sciences, and he was well recognized for his Tang Astronaut in Space Poster, Doodle Art, Anne Murray record album, magazines and various creations for his family and friends. He taught graphic design for 22 years at George Brown College, a profession he thoroughly enjoyed, and was truly loved by hundreds of students. Richard cherished his Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, his various sports cars, horse Wizard, and civil war reenactments. As a teenager in 1956 his wife Carole was at a family friends' cottage on Lake Simcoe and was told about fellow teenagers at Lorne Park High School who had fancier cars than the teachers at the school. These were the cars of Richard and his friends! He was a member of the Brunswick Light Infantry, beginning in 1987 to 2017 and the Yorkers prior, with appearances throughout North America and Europe. He combined these loves with leather, metal and woodworking to create hobnail shoes worn by his fellow Brunswickers, historically correct uniforms, black powder munitions, motorcycle gear and other forms from his imagination. He also established Big Bore, Chretien Creations, and other businesses. Richard disliked plane travel, but once his feet hit terra firma he was off in England, France, Germany, Cuba, Mexico, Quebec, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and California. Yearly, he and Carole went hiking, snow shoeing, and once even tried dog sledding! Richard is survived by his wife of 31 years, Carole Tynan (Sigel), sons James and Matthew, daughter-in-law Suzanne (Charter), stepdaughter Monica Tynan Day and sister-in-law Marjorie (Lucas) and was proud Opa to Dylan, Andrew, Conrad and Linnea. Richard is predeceased by his father Albert (Len), mother Edna (Richelle Price), his first wife, Kathy (Stocks) and his brother Leonard. He will be greatly missed by his family, many friends, colleagues and students. A special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Hellenic Home Toronto for their hard work, compassion, dedication and the love they showed Richard and his family during his two years there. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Richard's memory to Hellenic Care for Seniors Toronto home. Private cremation has taken place.

A celebration of Richard's life will take place on September 20th, 2023.

Location:

Queen of Persia Restaurant

672 St Clair Avenue West, Toronto

Details:

Eulogy and Refreshments (1pm – 2pm)

Private Family Function (2pm - 4pm)