Richard Graham Harris

Richard was born on November 6, 1954, in Ilford, London, UK, to Lila and Allan Harris. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Linda. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Claire; his children; his adored grandchildren, his brother Lawrence (and Diana); and the many friends, colleagues, and neighbours whose lives he touched.

Richard’s London childhood was full of adventure and mischief. Growing up alongside his brother, he was rarely still. There were cricket and soccer matches, model airplanes hanging from ceilings, rides on the back of their dad’s scooter, the occasional fireball that startled the neighbours, and countless escapades that later became family legend.

At around 10 or 11 years old, he already knew he wanted to be a pastry chef. He began experimenting in his mother’s kitchen, where the seed of his passion was planted. After completing a baking program in his early teens, he left the UK and emigrated to Canada, working in hotels and at Café Tozat in Kitchener. After a couple of years, he followed his heart and flew to the Middle East, where he met Claire in 1977. Six months later he moved to Switzerland, where they began their family.

Richard’s early career brought him to some of Switzerland’s most respected establishments, including the Hôtel Eden Palace au Lac in Montreux and the Lausanne Palace. There he refined the high standards that would define his life’s work. He later taught pastry arts at Swiss hotel schools, mentoring students from around the world. Teaching brought him immense joy; he loved sharing his craft and connecting with people.

Charming, strong-willed, endlessly curious, and deeply generous, Richard did things his way. Once he believed in something, he pursued it fully. His generosity showed in everyday gestures — sharing knowledge freely, bringing home cakes to delight his family, and dropping off boxes of chocolates to friends and neighbours simply to brighten their day.

The family later moved to Canada and settled in Guelph, where Richard founded La Patisserie from the family kitchen in the mid-1990s. Through hard work, perseverance, and vision, he built not only a successful bakery but also a place known for community and excellence. For decades, he cared deeply for his colleagues, staff, and customers, rising early almost every day to return to the bakery he loved.

He valued the friendships and community he built through La Patisserie and especially cherished the communal breakfasts and lunches with his friends. These traditions meant a great deal to him.

In recent years, his greatest joy was being a grandfather. To Lucie and Celeste, he was simply known as “the best grandpa.” He took them on “sugar walks,” spoiling them with candy, chocolates, books, toys, park outings, splash pad adventures, and carefully chosen treasures that always seemed to delight.

Over the last 14 months, during his battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Richard remained remarkably positive. He fought bravely, rarely complained, and continued making jokes until the end, lightening the mood for those around him. Even in his final days, he carried himself with quiet strength and dignity.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at a later date.