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Obituary
LCol Richard (Rick) Stanley Wilson (ret’d) passed away peacefully at Providence Care Hospital on 3 November 2023 with family by his side at the age of 77 years. Born in Rossland, BC on 25 September 1946, he is survived by his wife Bonnie (nee Daye). Rick is lovingly remembered by his daughter Colleen (David) of Ottawa and son Daniel (Stephanie) of Cobourg.
Rick grew up in beautiful Kimberley, BC with younger siblings Ron, John and Judy. As a teenager, he joined the local air cadet unit where he developed his love of the military lifestyle. Shortly after joining the Regular Force as an Artillery Officer in 1964, he was posted to northern Germany, where he met Bonnie, a Nursing Officer who quickly became the love of his life. Together they enjoyed numerous postings across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, before culminating his career as the Base Commander of CFB Shilo, where he retired in 2001. Although no longer in uniform, he was never one to sit still. He obtained a college diploma in prairie horticulture and spent many happy seasons exercising his green thumb at the Green Spot garden store in Brandon, MB and in his own backyard. In 2014, Rick and Bonnie moved closer to their children and grandchildren, Madeleine and Emme, in Ontario, settling in Kingston and reuniting with old friends and meeting many new ones. An avid stamp collector and life of the party, Rick found numerous ways to become an active member of the Kingston community.
In his leisure time, he liked to swim, dabbled in genealogy, was an avid stamp collector and staunchly supported the Toronto Blue Jays even when the rest of us gave up on them. Nothing brought him more joy, however, than spending quality time with Bonnie and his family. He will be remembered for his postcards and his letter-writing ability (an art he inherited from his father), his ability to never forget a face and his genuine interest in every person he encountered. Rick’s ability to strike up conversations with complete strangers remains legendary and will continue to remind us all that kindness is free. He was an active member of the Holy Name of Jesus Parish and a friendly fixture in the Highlander apartment complex, where he will be missed by many.
The family would very much like to thank the numerous friends and family who supported Rick and Bonnie over the last few months, whether through offering rides to the hospital, providing comfort food and simply making special days, like his last birthday, so memorable. The Wilson family also extends a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Providence Care Hospital, all of whom were so caring, professional and supportive.
The celebration of life will be held at James Reid funeral home on 10 Nov from 1-3 pm. Please enter the Reception Centre from the entrance at the back of the building. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to Homes for Heroes Kingston (homesforheroesfoundation.ca/kingston/), a local village for veterans which provides critical resources, services and training to help veterans integrate and thrive in civilian life.
September 25 1946
November 3 2023
Death notice for the town of: Kingston, Province: Ontario
death notice Richard Stanley Wilson September 25 1946
November 3 2023
obituaries notice Richard Stanley Wilson September 25 1946
November 3 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Richard Stanley Wilson September 25 1946
November 3 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
