Patten, Richard Andrew
May 13, 1942 – December 30, 2021
With deep sadness, the family of Richard Andrew Patten announce his death
at the Ottawa General Hospital on December 30, 2021 at the age of 79, after
valiantly fighting lymphoma for many years. He was one of four boys, born in
Montreal to Bill Patten and Claire Morrissette, a Huguenot descendant. He is
predeceased by his parents and brothers Ross of Montreal and Keith of Toronto.
His brother Robert and wife Eveline live in Ottawa. He married Penny Flemming,
his love, in 1966. They have two children, Timothy (Marie-Eve Larocque) and
Chantelle (Johnathon Beks) and four beautiful grandchildren, Claire Rose Patten,
Skyler, Sophie and Corrbin Beks, loved so much by their papa. Richard was a
cousin to Dany, Gail and Judy Morrissette, an uncle to Christopher and Tyler
Patten of Ottawa, David Patten of Gatineau, Shawn and Robin Patten of California
and brother-in-law to John Flemming of Montreal (deceased) and
Peter Flemming (Norma) of Guelph.
Although Richard was born premature, weighing but three pounds, he grew
to be a strong man. He was involved in many sports including as a kicker on
Rosemount High’s football team. As a young person he worked in summer day camps
for the Montreal YMCA and later on in different branches of the Y while attending
Sir George Williams University. One summer semester, he worked with Palestinian
youth in refugee camps in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Gaza, under the auspices
of UNRA and the World Alliance of YMCAs. He graduated from Sir George with a
Bachelor of Arts, a major in History and Philosophy of Religion and a Certificate in
Applied Social Science. He became a full time YMCA Director in Montreal.
In 1969 Richard accepted a 2 year posting in Georgetown, Guyana as a
Trainer Consultant to the Guyanese National Council of YMCAs. His mission
was to manage a process of reorienting the organization and train staff across
the newly independent nation.
In 1971 Richard became the Director of International Programs for the Montreal
YMCA. With the expelling of Asians from Uganda, Richard
negotiated an arrangement with the federal government to work with YMCAs and
the voluntary sector across Canada to provide support for thousands of Ismailis in
language training, culture, job readiness and provide clothing and shelter.
In 1979, the family moved to Ottawa and Richard became the Director of
International Programs for the Canadian National Council of YMCAs. He
negotiated with CIDA and received funding to establish International Development
projects throughout the world, a three way partnership between the recipient nation,
supported by a branch of a Canadian YMCA and CIDA.
On the home front, the family was happy to discover the Gatineau ski hills.
Many winter weekends were spent at Camp Fortune and the children enjoyed learning to
ski and race on the hills and Richard took lessons to become a ski instructor.
During the 1980’s, he served as President of the Canadian Council for International
Co-operation, representing organizations engaged in international development &
emergency relief. He was part of the special fact-finding mission to Sudan during the
Great Sahara Drought.
In 1987 Richard left the YMCA and entered politics. He became the MPP for Ottawa
Centre in a Liberal government and was appointed Minister of Government Services
where he oversaw the relocation of 6 ministries to Northern Ontario. In his home riding,
he directly helped hundreds of constituents requiring assistance. He obtained first
government funding, $2.1 million, crucial in saving the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne
Park and he played a key role in obtaining full funding for Highway 416. He arranged
for a change of ownership of the old courthouse building in Ottawa for conversion to
Arts Court. As Ontario’s Minister of Correctional Services, he developed a breakthrough
agreement with native communities for native-run corrections programs.
In 1990 the Liberals were defeated and Richard went on to become the President of the
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Foundation. He increased the fund-raising substantially
and the first CHEO research building was built. He set up plans for a ten million dollar
Endowment Fund and developed a 6-year plan for the Foundation.
In 1995, he once again became the MPP for Ottawa Centre (in opposition.) He
introduced a Private Member’s Bill on amendments to the new Mental Health Act,
adopted by the Conservative government as “Brian’s Law” in recognition of the shooting
of sportscaster Brian Smith. This law led to the establishment of early
assessments of people in danger of hurting themselves or others and of community
orders. It took a long time to get this Bill through the legislature. Richard was thanked by
all parties. He always said he was most proud of this achievement.
Richard always strove to address issues that would enhance people’s quality of life.
He loved to socialize with friends and colleagues and he joined many small groups,
sharing the joy of camaraderie while fleshing out solutions to important issues.
He had a great sense of humour. His many talents included water
colour painting – learned at the Ottawa School of Art. Many of his pictures
graced the front of the family’s Christmas cards. He never forgot the Y; every
summer the family would rent a cottage at YMCA Geneva Park on
Lake Couchiching to meet again with old friends.
He left politics in 2007. Several hundred friends from different parts of his life
came together and held a tribute dinner in his honour. The outcome of the evening
was the creation of the Richard Patten Aboriginal Bursary Fund at Algonquin College.
Many Indigenous students have been awarded bursary money from this fund to
help in their educational journey.
Richard began to work in the private sector, primarily with small start-up companies.
He was always available to help people in any way he could (many new Canadians).
He served on many Boards: Institute for Mental Health Research, Wabano Centre
for Aboriginal Health, Tulip Festival, Shaw Centre, Lord Stanley Commemoration Group,
Botanical Garden Society and many others.
A gathering of the immediate family will take place to say good-bye to Richard and at a
later, safer time, there will be a memorial . Richard’s ashes will rest in
MacLaren Cemetery, Wakefield, Quebec.
Heartfelt thanks go out to the Ottawa General Hospital, to the many nurses and doctors
who helped Richard on his long journey. They have been truly outstanding.
Memorial donations to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation, 737 Parkdale Avenue,
Ottawa Ontario K1Y 1J8, would be appreciated.
Thursday December 30th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Richard Andrew Patten Thursday December 30th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario