Rick Culver

It is with heavy hearts (and red eyes) that we sadly announce the departure of Richard “Rick” Melvin Culver, who passed away at Juravinski Hospital on Wednesday March 13th, 2024, at the much-too-soon age of 68 from a massive and sudden stroke.

He joins his father Melvin and mother Edith, and leaves behind his wife Susan, son Brendan (partner Kimiko), daughter Claire, brother Rob (partner Trudy), and sisters Nancy, Judy, and Helen (partner Read).

Rick lived many rich and full lives: on the family farm during childhood, on his motorcycle, as a respiratory therapist, as a loving husband and dad, at highland games, at whisky tastings, and on the sailboat. Born in Simcoe ON in 1955 and raised in Port Ryerse, his father worked for the American Can Company, while his mother cared for him and his siblings. In school, he enjoyed singing in musical theatre productions, and he started motorcycle racing in his late teens. After graduation, he worked many jobs, including carpet cleaning, before eventually going back to school for respiratory therapy.

Rick met his future wife Sue at McMaster in 1988 while she was working as a nurse, and they married in 1989, welcoming Brendan and Claire to their family in 1991 and 1995. They started their home together in Orangeville in 1991, with frequent trips to the family cottage in Muskoka for canoeing, barbecues, and fishing. They would even snow-shoe to the cottage in the wintertime! Rick worked as a respiratory therapist for 18 years at Headwaters Health Care Centre, before the family moved to Hamilton. He continued working for the Niagara Health System in St. Catharine’s, even on the COVID-19 unit during the pandemic, until finally taking his well-deserved retirement in 2022.

He loved to sail on his boat Radiance, and he was an active member of the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club during his retirement years, winning races across Canada. He was incredibly sociable, playing Euchre with friends on a weekly basis and engaging frequently in the scotch tasting community. He will be dearly missed by many, especially his family who he cared for wonderfully.

We would like to thank the amazing staff at Juravinski Hospital for their kindness and thoughtful care of Rick. In lieu of flowers, we know he would have loved for you to make a donation to the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation.